MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith drew ire from some Memphis locals after comments made in Tuesday’s First Take episode, claiming NBA stars don’t want to play in Memphis due to safety concerns.
"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
“It’s a great sports town, great fans, great people,” says Smith before diving into his claim. “But there’s an element there where cats like Jimmy Butler and others don’t feel like it’s the safest environment.”
“You gotta clean some of that stuff up because it’s dissuasive to NBA players,” the sportscaster adds, directing to city officials. “They’ve talked about it. I know. They told me.”
The Grizzlies star Ja Morant took to X to call out First Take for the negative coverage, and also tweeted a message affirming that he is staying in Memphis.
& ima be in dat 901 🐻
source : ME !!
— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) June 17, 2025
Memphis Mayor Paul Young also responded to Smith’s take in a tweet Tuesday evening.
Longtime Memphians talked to Action News 5 with their own perspective on Smith’s comments.
“Memphis is not the worst place to live,” says 30+ year residents Carrie and Arthur Wright. “You should always love the place where you stay, and just do all you can to make it better.”
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