MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A pair of NBA head coaches defended Memphis and its culture Friday following criticism by Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James that the Grizzlies should just relocate to Nashville.
Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo and Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic, an assistant in Memphis before taking over as head coach of Toronto, said their experiences did not match the comments by James in a “Bob Does Sports” YouTube video earlier this week.
James criticized Memphis and indicated the NBA would be better off if the Grizzlies moved 200 miles east to Nashville where Tennessee’s capital city has Vanderbilt University, NASCAR and the NHL’s Predators. He said he might have opted to say he wouldn’t play in Memphis if the Grizzlies had the first pick in the 2003 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 added: “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’ criticism included NBA players having nothing to do when teams arrive in Memphis for games.
“In Memphis on a f—ing random ass Thursday,” James said. “I’m not like the first guy to even talk about it in the NBA, we all like, ‘You guys have to move. Just go over to Nashville.'”
The Raptors arrived in Memphis a day before Friday night’s game and visited St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which treats childhood cancer patients at no charge to families. Rajakovic called the visit inspiring with his players thanking him for taking them to the hospital to meet patients.
The coaches of the Grizzlies and Raptors have short ties to Memphis with Iisalo in just his second season and first as head coach. Iisalo said Memphis features one of the NBA’s most passionate fan bases with the city rallying behind its team.
“All I can say is Memphis is the right place for the Grizzlies,” Iisalo said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
