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JJ Redick issues strong statement on Memphis Grizzlies

By Mark Nilon

DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 26: JJ Redick announces the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on October 26, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 26: JJ Redick announces the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on October 26, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images) /
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Be it intentionally malicious or not, recently the city of Memphis was the subject of a polarizing discussion on The Old Man and The Three podcast where guest and former NBA forward Evan Turner suggested the idea of the Grizzlies relocating from the 38103 to the state’s capital out in Nashville.

The conversation received quite a bit of attention from fans and media pundits alike, with some such as Joey Linn of FanNation’s All Grizzlies suggesting that superstar Ja Morant’s recent post on X (previously known as Twitter), where he called out an unknown entity, was a direct response to the hypothetical idea.

Said comments from Turner have gone on to receive so much backlash within the news cycle that podcast host and acclaimed former sharpshooter JJ Redick took some time during a Monday, September 25 episode of the show to issue an apology to the organization and the city of Memphis as a whole.

JJ Redick issues apology to Memphis following recent Grizzlies relocation chatter

"“On last week’s episode of The Old Man and the Three, we had a Rhoback question, the last question. It was not on audio, but it was on video. And on that video, I asked a very simple question to Andre Iguodala and Evan Turner about which city would you like to see get an NBA expansion team. And during that conversation, a number of cities were mentioned. Evan Turner mentioned Nashville [and] that the Memphis Grizzlies should move to Nashville and I co-signed that. That was a mistake on my part. For all of Memphis and for the Grizzlies fans, let me apologize and I mean this sincerely,” Redick said."

Redick would continue on to praise the “great, great” following the team currently has whilst residing in Memphis, and highlighted the city’s “soul” and “culture” as key positives.

He would wrap up his apology by stating that he believes the “Grizzlies should never leave Memphis,” and that he “made a mistake” for agreeing with Turner’s stance on the matter.

Established back in 1995, the organization has called the city of Memphis home for 23 years after initially relocating from Vancouver, Canada ahead of the 2001-02 campaign.

Though Turner may believe a move to Nashville could be an optimal move for the franchise to consider making, being their decision makers reached an agreement with Shelby County leaders last year to keep the club in Memphis through the year 2029, it appears the feeling is by no means mutual.

Fret not Grizzlies fans, it appears your favorite NBA team isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

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