Skip to main content

Derrick White’s Brutal Memphis Grizzlies Admission Shocks NBA Fans

Posted on September 4, 2025 - 2:18 am by

Memphis, Tennessee, is a city that pulses with soul—famous for its smoky barbecue, the birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll, and the passionate home of the Memphis Grizzlies. Since the franchise moved from Vancouver in 2001, the Grizzlies have carved out a gritty identity, making the NBA postseason 14 times, including a memorable Western Conference Finals run. The team is beloved by its players and fiercely supported by locals, but not everyone is charmed by the city’s vibe. Recently, Boston Celtics star Derrick White stirred the pot with a candid take on Memphis, leaving NBA fans buzzing.

On his new podcast, White didn’t hold back when asked about his least favorite NBA cities to visit. While he mentioned a less-than-stellar hotel in Indiana, it was Memphis that took the crown for all the wrong reasons. “Memphis,” White declared without hesitation. “It’s probably the worst hotel in the NBA.”

Ouch. For a city that prides itself on hospitality, White’s comment hit like a cold shower. “It’s a tough hotel to be in,” he elaborated. “Especially when you look at the Four Seasons, and then you go to the Westin … it’s not the same. That’s my least favorite hotel.” The Westin Memphis, it seems, doesn’t quite measure up to the luxury of other NBA stops, at least in White’s book.

This isn’t the first time Memphis has taken heat. Earlier this offseason, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith sparked controversy by questioning the city’s safety, claiming NBA players don’t see it as a welcoming environment. Those comments ignited a fiery back-and-forth, with Memphians and Grizzlies players defending their city’s honor. Just when the dust seemed to settle, White’s blunt critique has reignited the conversation, giving fans plenty to chew on.

Trying to soften the blow, White offered a small olive branch. “The food there is good,” he admitted, giving a nod to Memphis’s world-class culinary scene. And who could argue? From tangy ribs to soulful sides, the city’s food is a slam dunk. But for the Grizzlies, the hope is that their on-court performance next season will give visitors more to talk about than hotel woes.

 

Led by electrifying point guard Ja Morant and defensive anchor Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis is gearing up for a bounce-back year. However, ESPN’s analysts aren’t convinced the Grizzlies will roar back to prominence just yet. In a recent ranking, they placed the San Antonio Spurs just above Memphis, tying them with the Dallas Mavericks. “The Spurs and Grizzlies appear to be trending in different directions,” ESPN noted. “San Antonio is stepping into the third season of its patient rebuild around Victor Wembanyama. The Spurs won 22 and 34 games in his first two seasons. This season, our projections anticipate them taking a larger leap into the 40s.”

The Grizzlies, on the other hand, face skepticism after a bold offseason move. Trading core player Desmond Bane for a package of draft picks raised eyebrows and fueled speculation that Memphis might be hitting the reset button. Without Bane’s scoring punch, the team will need to unearth new offensive weapons to complement Morant and Jackson. Yet, despite the trade signaling a potential rebuild, the Grizzlies remain laser-focused on a playoff push.

Could a less-than-luxurious hotel for visiting teams be part of Memphis’s home-court advantage? Maybe it’s a sneaky strategy to throw opponents off their game. Derrick White and the Boston Celtics will get a chance to test that theory when they face the Grizzlies at FedExForum on March 20, 2026. Until then, White’s comments have given Memphis fans and players alike some extra motivation to prove the doubters wrong—on and off the court.