Former Miami Heat guard Norris Cole would have had a hard time playing for the Memphis Grizzlies during his career. He made that clear while recently appearing on the Gilbert Arenas podcast. When asked Stephen A. Smith’s recent comments regarding the city’s high crime and violence, Cole agreed with the sentiments.
“He told the truth,” said Cole, who won two titles with the Heat during the LeBron James years. “I mean, Memphis is cool for certain people but for others it ain’t.
“I wouldn’t have wanted to play there!”
Kenyon keeps it real about the safety issues in Memphis 💯
Posted by Gil’s Arena on Thursday, June 19, 2025
Memphis became a popular topic once Smith made the statement during an ESPN broadcast. He said the Grizzlies have a hard time attracting free agent because of the city’s reputation.
“The people in Memphis,” Smith said. “It’s a great sports town. Great fans. Great people. But there’s an element there where cats like Jimmy Butler and others don’t feel it’s the safest environment. I’m talking to the local authorities in Memphis. You got to clean some of that stuff up because it’s dissuasive to NBA players. They have talked about it. I know. They’ve told me.”
Former Grizzlies player Desmond Bane, who was traded to the Orlando Magic last week, disagreed with Smith.
“I think all that is just false,” Bane said on The Young Man And The Three podcast. “I think once you get to Memphis and you learn Memphis and you know Memphis, there’s a lot of love in that city. Yeah, it’s got its rough parts but that’s how every city is. Memphis is a beautiful place. They’ve got a great organization. Anybody that goes there will be happy with what they got going on for sure.”
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