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‘Bigger than basketball’: NBA sends strong message with boycott

Leigh Nald Cabildo

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‘Bigger than basketball’: NBA sends strong message with boycott

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - JULY 30: LeBron James #23 and Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers in a Black Lives Matter Shirt kneel with their teammates during the national anthem prior to the game against the LA Clippers at The Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on July 30, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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. Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images/AFP

AFP

Outraged NBA players call for change and justice after another police shooting of an African American

NBA stars showed their support in social media to the teams and players who decided not to step on the court as a sign of protest.

The Milwaukee Bucks decided to boycott Game 5 of their playoff series against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday, August 26 (Thursday, August 27, Philippine time), days after the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin.

In a statement, the Bucks players called out the officials of the state and demanded accountability from the police officers involved in the shooting.

Other teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets, had also expressed their plan to boycott Game 5 of their respective series.Ā 

As a result, the NBA decided to postpone all playoff games for the day. (READ:Ā NBA halts playoffs after Bucks lead shooting boycott)

Former Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade expressed his support to the players as Los Angeles Lakersā€™ LeBron James showed outrage over the latest police shooting of an African American.Ā 

While they remained rivals on court, the Utah Jazz and Denver Nuggets players shared the same voice in search for action against injustice.

Jazz star Donovan Mitchell and Fil-Am Jordan Clarkson also called for change, while Nuggetsā€™ guards Jamal Murray and PJ Dozier demanded justice in their tweets.

https://twitter.com/JordanClarksons/status/1298721580537622533?s=20

Players outside the NBA bubble in Orlando likewise backed the players’ protest. Atlanta Hawksā€™ Trae Young, San Antonio Spursā€™ DeMar Derozan, and Memphis Grizzliesā€™ Ja Morant shared their sentiments after news of the boycott came out.Ā 

Other NBA personalities and legends also showed their support as Chicago Bullsā€™ Scottie Pippen and Detroit Pistonsā€™ Isiah Thomas sent their respect to the Bucks.

Inside the NBA host and former Houston Rockets guard Kenny Smith walked out of the show to back the playersā€™ protest.

Former coach Stan Van Gundy and Hall of Famer Bill Russel applaud the effort of Smith and the players to stand against racial injustice as Lakers president Jeanie Buss stood behind the team’s plan to boycott the possible closeout game against the Portland Trail Blazers.

https://twitter.com/realStanVG/status/1298769535424761858?s=20

Aside from the NBA, other games from different leagues such as the WNBA, Major League Soccer and Major League Baseball were also postponed in support of the ongoing protest and call for change. ā€“ Rappler.com

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