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Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant is not happy with ESPN and Stephen A. Smith. On Tuesday afternoon, Smith went on a rant on how NBA players have told him that they don’t want to play in Memphis because they feel “unsafe.”
“You gonna tell folks why nobody wants to be in Memphis? Or you want me to do it?”
“Cats like Jimmy Butler and others don’t feel like it’s the safest environment. I’m talking to the local authorities in Memphis.”
“You gonna tell folks why nobody wants to be in Memphis? Or you want me to do it?”
“Cats like Jimmy Butler and others don’t feel like it’s the safest environment. I’m talking to the local authorities in Memphis.” – Stephen A. Smith pic.twitter.com/qD9UjV5ZV4
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 17, 2025
Morant took to social media to fire back at Smith over his comments.
Via Ja Morant/X
“Talkin bout the grizz more than the finals😂 wit these 🧢 ahh sources”
“Instead of focusing on the performances we seen from jdub/shai , tj/siakam, how this series is going . we say sumn negative about a city/team on a national level.”
Update: Smith responded to Morant on X.
“So this is what we’re doing now @JaMorant? I recall talking about the Finals. But the @memgrizz made news because of Bane getting traded. AND, your possible extension coming up.”
“Would you prefer I go into detail about WTH has been going on in Memphis? Why players have stated they’re not interested in going? Or even MORE details? Or would you like me to leave well enough alone, and let the great peeps of Memphis address it on their own? Your call! I’m all ears!”