The Milwaukee Bucks took a major step forward yesterday when they decided to not play Game 5 of their first-round series of the NBA playoffs vs. the Orlando Magic. Current and former NBA players like LeBron James and Scottie Pippen voiced their support for that movement, and that decision created a snowball effect andsome MLS and MLB teams decided to also skip their games in the wake of the NBA boycott.
Needless to say, the games between Oklahoma City Thunder – Houston Rockets and Portland Trail Blazers – Los Angeles Lakers were also postponed as the players showed their solidarity towards the Bucks.
NBA players, coaches, and even referees held a meeting in the Orlando bubble to address the situation and develop a course of action for the remainder of the season, assuming it is actually resumed.
LeBron James, Lakers, Clippers Voted Not To Play
Surprisingly, the two teams with the biggest shot at winning the NBA Championship, Lakers and Clippers; were the only two teams that voted to boycott the rest of the NBA season, with LeBron James being the first to leave the player’s meeting.
According to multiple reports, James and the other players will only play again this season if team owners committo using their wealth and platform to empower African American communities and take a stand against police brutality:
“We need to hold the owners more accountable. They are the ones in the position of power, have the financial resources”, LeBron James said during the player’s meeting, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
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Five MLS games postponed as protest over Jacob Blake shooting; teams and players react on Twitter
NBA Players Angry At Commissioner Adam Silver
While yesterday’s meeting wasn’t conclusive and whether they’ll continue to play or not is yet to be seen, all players agreed on theircomplaints towards NBA commissioner Adam Silver, who’s not being involved in the Orlando bubble.
Silver acknowledged that he wasn’t going to spend all three months in the Disney campus and the playersare ‘annoyed’ that he’s been notably absentmost of the time, according to Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe.
Thursday’s playoff games are likely to be postponed as well and there’s a growing sentiment around the league that this season may be in jeopardy. Team owners have already committed $300 million over the next 10 years to social justice causes. Then again, that’s pocket change for some of the wealthiest people on earth, and the players demand they show actual commitment.
