Over the last few days, LeBron James has become the center of controversy after he stated that he does not like playing in Memphis and Milwaukee.
He even suggested that the Grizzlies should look to move to Nashville. As soon as he said this, fans and those in the media believed that the Los Angeles Lakers superstar was being disrespectful to the cities.
The 41-year-old said that over a round of golf, which his supporters felt was just him expressing his opinion, something other NBA stars have also done recently.
However, as has been the case with the world's most popular basketball player, the media, and especially Stephen A. Smith, believed that James was criticizing the majority-Black population in Memphis.
Then, the four-time champion clapped back at Smith and Memphis' Mayor, along with those who criticized him. He made it clear that he never mentioned the people of the city, and was just talking about how he did not appreciate the hotels in both Memphis and Milwaukee.
But that was not enough, as Doc Rivers, head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, decided to troll the league's all-time leading scorer.
He cannot be talking about the city. I've lived here twice… I think we should trade for him… Let him see Milwaukee, and I think he would change his tune.
Doc Rivers told reportersThe NBA champion head coach felt that LeBron James was not talking about the city of Milwaukee, as it has grown leaps and bounds. But he was sure that the oldest player in the league was criticizing the hotels.
Doc Rivers took a sly dig at LeBron James, suggesting that a trade would force him to change his mind. However, kids in Memphis did not have the same opinion.
Kid 1: I hate LeBron James after that.
Kid 2: This Unc cannot be talking, bro.
Kid 1: He cannot disrespect Memphis.
Kid 2: Maybe he was good in his prime. But can we get this unc into retirement now? We need to get him out.
This was their reaction when asked about the King's comments. It seems they are not happy with the alleged slight the father of three had about their city, and they simply want him to retire.
Thankfully, for both LeBron James and Memphis citizens, the Los Angeles Lakers are not going to play at FedEx Forum this season. Next season, the four-time league MVP might be prepared to get some boos when he visits the city.
Doc Rivers and the kids from Memphis were not the only ones to troll LeBron James for his apparent diss at the two cities. After the respective franchises from both cities played against each other, the Bucks joined in to poke some fun at the Lakers' superstar.
Won the matchup between everyone's two favorite cities.
Bucks social media team wrote on XWon the matchup between everyone's two favorite cities.
This post went viral, as not only did the Bucks' media team nail the joke in one sentence, they also managed to do that without insulting or taking unnecessary shots at the league's most popular player.
LeBron James probably would not bother about these sarcastic shots, as he probably knows it was nothing but harmless fun. He is not one to reply to just anything or anyone.
But from his response to reporters, the 22-time All-Star made it clear who he was responding to. This could lead to some more uncomfortable discussions on ESPN as the week heads into the final few games of the 2025-26 regular season.
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