MEMPHIS, Tennessee – A pair of NBA head coaches defended Memphis and its culture on Friday after criticism Los Angeles Lakers star Lebron James That the Grizzlies should relocate to Nashville.
Grizzlies Coach Tuomas Isalo and Raptors Darko Rajakovic, an assistant coach at Memphis before taking over as Toronto’s head coach, said his experiences did not match James’ comments. “Bob Does Sports” YouTube Video from earlier this week.
James criticized Memphis and indicated that the NBA would be better off if the Grizzlies moved 200 miles east to Nashville where Tennessee’s capital is home to Vanderbilt University, NASCAR and the NHL. hunters. He said that if the Grizzlies had had the first pick in the 2003 draft he probably would have opted to say he would not play in Memphis.
“I can say from my perspective I have the exact opposite — a 180-degree perspective,” Isalo said. “Memphis, where we moved less than two years ago, is very warm. Very welcoming.”
Rajakovich said: “I don’t care what the rest of the world thinks. I love the people of Memphis. I love the food. I love it every time I come here.”
James’s criticism also included that NBA players have nothing to do when teams arrive in Memphis for games.
“On a random ass Thursday in Memphis,” James said. “I’m not the first one in the NBA to talk about it, we’re all like, ‘You guys have to move on. Just go 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 described the tour as inspiring and thanked his players for taking him to the hospital to meet patients.
The coaches of the Grizzlies and Raptors have ties to Memphis with Isalo in his second season and first as head coach. Isalo said Memphis has one of the most passionate fans in the NBA and the city stands behind its team.
“All I can say is that Memphis is the right place for the Grizzlies,” Isalo said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
