LeBron dismisses blowback over Memphis criticism: 'People are ridiculous'

LeBron James doesn't believe the negative reception to his viral comments about Memphis is warranted.

"I'm 41 years old. There's two cities I do not like playing in right now. That's Milwaukee and that's Memphis. What is the problem with that?" the Los Angeles Lakers star said Saturday, courtesy of Dave McMenamin of ESPN. "I don't like going home (to Cleveland) either, and I'm from there. People are ridiculous.

"They also get mad at my son for being on the team, too. So what are we talking about? People need to figure out other ways to put their energy to other things that are important. Like, seriously? I'm not talking about the city, like the people in Memphis. I don't like staying at the Hyatt Centric. What's wrong with that?"

James shot barbs at Milwaukee and Memphis during an appearance on a Bob Does Sports episode that released Thursday. The Lakers star aired his frustration with traveling to both cities before suggesting the Grizzlies relocate to Nashville.

"Being in Memphis on a f-----g random ass Thursday. I'm not the first guy to even talk about it in the NBA. We're all like, 'You guys have to move,'" James said while golfing with the YouTuber. "Just go over to Nashville. You got Vanderbilt over there. You got the f-----g NASCAR. You got a stadium - don't they got a hockey team, too? They got everything."

Memphis Mayor Paul Young defended the city after James' comments went viral and offered the four-time MVP an invitation to explore the city with him.

James will not have to play in Memphis, Milwaukee, or Cleveland again this season. The Lakers' only remaining road contests are against the Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors on Sunday and Thursday, respectively. Los Angeles finishes the season at home April 12 against the Utah Jazz.