The moment no one wanted to come is upon us. The Milwaukee Bucks decided to boycott their game vs. the Orlando Magic for the NBA playoffs following Jacob Blake’s shooting in Wisconsin. Now, Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland Trail Blazers, and Los Angeles Lakers will reportedly also boycott their games.
Several NBA players voiced their concerns about this matter earlier in the week, with the Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors reportedly discussing skipping their first game of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. However, the Milwaukee Bucks were the first team to take a stand, even though the Magic showed up to play.
Needless to say, the news traveled around the world in the blink of an eye, with LeBron James and countless NBA players showing their support for the Bucks’ decision not to leave their locker room today.
NBA Stars Show Support In Favor Of Bucks’ Boycott
FUCK THIS MAN!!!! WE DEMAND CHANGE. SICK OF IT
— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 26, 2020
����������������LOVE IT @Bucks
— John Henson (@Johnhenson31) August 26, 2020
Respect @bucks!!!!
— DeMar DeRozan (@DeMar_DeRozan) August 26, 2020
Bigger than Basketball ��������
— Jerian Grant (@JerianGrant) August 26, 2020
Respect @Bucks keep being that voice we all need.
— Jared Sullinger Sr. (@Jared_Sully0) August 26, 2020
SALUTE ✊�� @Bucks
— 13am Adebayo�� (@Bam1of1) August 26, 2020
.@Bucks power. Black power.
Nothing but respect for Milwaukee’s players and coaches. #BlackLivesMatter
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) August 26, 2020
WE DEMAND CHANGE! SALUTE @Bucks ✊��������
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) August 26, 2020
WE DEMAND JUSTICE!!!
— Jamal Murray (@BeMore27) August 26, 2020
������������ https://t.co/Lcil68BRpE
— Kevin Love (@kevinlove) August 26, 2020
✊��✊��✊��
— Maurice Harkless (@moe_harkless) August 26, 2020
!!!!!!!!!!! https://t.co/GXfPNANOoQ
— Jordan Clarkson (@JordanClarksons) August 26, 2020
Proud of my brothers✊��@Bucks @NBA #NecessaryGoodTrouble #EnoughIsEnough pic.twitter.com/sYOos4prW8
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) August 26, 2020
✊��
— Enes Kanter (@EnesKanter) August 26, 2020
Whether the NBA is going to enforce any kind of discipline or penalty for their decision is yet to be seen. They could hand the game to the Orlando Magic because the Bucks decided to forfeit but they can’t punish the Thunder/Rockets or Lakers/Blazers the same way if both teams stay in their locker rooms.
NBA players have had a blunt response to the social issues that concern them since the death of George Floyd and they only agreed to restart the season as long as they could use the league’s platform to spread awareness and share their views.
Now, even though we’re on the verge of the start of the second round of the playoffs, it seems like some players are ready to give up on aseason that looked condemned from the startif that means they can make a difference in their communities. This story isn’t going away any time soon, so stay tuned for what’s about to come.
