Two NBA head coaches came to Memphis’ defense on Friday after Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James suggested the league would improve if the Grizzlies relocated to Nashville.
Memphis head coach Tuomas Iisalo and Toronto Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic, who previously served as an assistant in Memphis before becoming Toronto’s head coach, both contradicted James’ remarks made during a “Bob Does Sports” YouTube interview this week.
During the video, James slammed Memphis and argued the NBA would benefit if the Grizzlies moved 200 miles eastward to Nashville, citing Tennessee’s capital as home to Vanderbilt University, NASCAR events, and the NHL’s Predators. The four-time champion even claimed he might have refused to play in Memphis had the Grizzlies held the top pick in the 2003 NBA Draft.
“I can say from my own perspective that I have the complete opposite — 180-degree perspective on that,” Iisalo said. “The Memphis where we have arrived less than two years ago has been very warm. Very welcoming.”
Rajakovic expressed similar sentiments, stating: “I don’t care what the rest of the world thinks. I love the people of Memphis. I love the food. I love every single time I come over here.”
James specifically targeted the lack of entertainment options for visiting NBA players when their teams travel to Memphis for games.
“In Memphis on a (expletive) random (expletive) Thursday,” James said. “I’m not even the first guy to talk about it in the NBA, like, ‘You guys have to move. Go over to Nashville.’”
The Raptors demonstrated Memphis’ appeal by arriving a day early before Friday’s contest to tour St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which provides free treatment for pediatric cancer patients. Rajakovic described the hospital visit as motivating, noting his players expressed gratitude for the opportunity to meet young patients.
Both coaches have relatively brief connections to Memphis, with Iisalo completing just his second season and first as head coach. Despite this, Iisalo praised Memphis for hosting one of the NBA’s most dedicated fanbases and emphasized the city’s strong support for its team.
“All I can say is Memphis is the right place for the Grizzlies,” Iisalo said.
