NBA fans are among the most passionate sports enthusiasts. Each city represents its team proudly. Meanwhile, a victory for their home team becomes a cause for celebration around that city. This is evident from the grand parades hosted after a city wins a championship. These celebrations are a testament to the loyalty of NBA fans to their city and franchise. However, on the flip side, hate or negativity toward their respective team or franchise player becomes a personal attack.

Although criticism doesn’t always prompt hate. Oftentimes, things can get misconstrued and can cause a ruckus, anyway. Recently, an Ex NBA star’s comments about Ja Morant’s Grizzlies left its supporters distraught and angry.

Ex-NBA star Offends the Entire City of Memphis

On the latest episode of Old Man and the Tree JJ Redick vehemently apologised to Memphis fans. While his comments in a previous episode might have offended a majority of the City’s residents. In an attempt to smooth things over, JJ Redick tries to track back from his remark. Last week, when former NBA player Evan Turner was a guest on a podcast, he suggested that the Grizzlies relocate to Nashville, which infuriated Grizzlies supporters.

Redick questioned Turner and Golden State Warriors player Andre Iguodala over prospective NBA club expansion cities.? “I’ll put it in Nashville,” he said. “Take (the Grizzlies) out of Memphis, and put the team in Nashville.”?JJ Reddick seconded that comment, saying, “Nashville makes sense”. However, the former NBA shooting guard, who now hosts the podcast and serves as an ESPN pundit, apologized to the broadcast on Monday.

“Let me take this opportunity actually to look in the camera and make an apology,” Redick said. He further added, “Evan Turner mentioned Nashville, that the Memphis Grizzlies should move to Nashville. And I ? I cosigned that. And that was a mistake on my part. And for all of Memphis and for the Grizzlies fans, let me apologize. And I mean this sincerely. The Memphis Grizzlies have a great, great fan base. They’re a great organization. Memphis has a soul, a culture.” In conclusion, the shooting guard sums it up by saying, “The Grizzlies should never leave Memphis. All right, let me say that. I should not have cosigned that. I made a mistake.”

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All has Not Been “Fine in The West” For the Grizzlies

Memphis was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs last season. Meanwhile, their franchise player, Ja Morant, was getting negative media attention for his social media shenanigans. He reportedly carried a gun on the team plane and later made an Instagram live about it. However, in a jarring twist, no one saw coming. He subsequently went on Live and did the same again. To top it all off, they heavily trolled Memphis after they lost as Morant, in an earlier interview with Malika Andrews, said, “We’re fine in the west.” In response to her question about their competition in the West Conference.

However, things might not turn out so badly for the Grizzlies after all, next season. They acquired Marcus Smart from the Celtics. This is an extremely positive sign as it adds experience to their young roster. However, title contention is still a long haul. The fans can only hope it turns out “fine”.

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