An NBA star took issue with Smith’s claim on social media

STEPHEN A. Smith created a stir after suggesting that a city with high crime rates could deter NBA stars from joining a team.

The ESPN star Smith made the claim during Tuesday’s edition of First Take.

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Stephen A. Smith sitting at the 2025 Disney Upfront this monthCredit: Getty

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Smith turned heads with his comments concerning the city of Memphis when speaking about Grizzlies star Ja MorantCredit: ESPN
During the hit debate program, Stephen A. Smith dove into an issue that he thinks prevents players from signing with one city in the south that recently saw a key player traded away.

The 57-year-old Smith was alongside Los Angeles Lakers forward Markeiff Morris and his brother, former NBA player Marcus Morris, as they spoke about the Memphis Grizzlies sending Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic in a stunning trade over the weekend.

The discussion then shifted to whether the Grizzlies should trade away star Ja Morant as part of a bigger rebuild before Smith asked the Morris twins if they wanted to share about why they might not want to play in Memphis.

After Marcus said he wouldn’t have a problem playing in Bluff City, Markeiff asked Smith’s reasoning for why the city might not be desirable.

“It’s a great sports town, great fans, great people,” Stephen A. began his explanation.

“But there’s an element there where 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 gotta clean some of that stuff up because it’s dissuasive to NBA players.

“They have talked about it. I know, they’ve told me.”

Smith referenced the Miami Heat trading off the six-time NBA All-Star Butler, who was so adamant to be moved that he said he was willing to play anywhere but Memphis before eventually being dealt to the Golden State Warriors.

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Fans reacted to Stephen A.’s comments concerning Memphis on social media.

“My thing is why would you say that on national television?” one asked.

“All big cities have crime lets be real” another commented.

“Being from Memphis. I can definitely understand what Stephen A. is talking about,” a third said.

Morant chimed in on the debate and put out a series of posts on X in which he shared his love for the city of Memphis.

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Morant fired back a response to Smith’s claim that crime is scaring away top NBA players from the GrizzliesCredit: Getty
“& ima be in dat 901 [bear emoji] source : ME!!,” Morant wrote in the first post, referring to the city’s 901 area code.

Morant also sent a message to Smith, taking issue with the personality speaking more about the Grizzlies than the NBA Finals, which are currently taking place.

“talkin bout the grizz more than the finals wit these (cap) ahh sources…instead of focusing on the performances we seen from jdub/shai, tj/siakam, how this series is going,” Morant wrote.

“We say sumn negative about a city/team on a national level,” and, “& ima be in dat 901…source: ME !!”

Hours later, Stephen A. fired back at Morant, sending a reply to X, ” “So this is what we’re doing now, @JaMorant? I recall talking about the Finals.

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The Grizzlies traded star shooting guard Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic on SundayCredit: Getty
“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 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!

The NBA Finals don’t resume until Thursday, so it’s expected that First Take can talk more about Morant and the Grizzlies for the next two shows.