There had been only one boycott of a player from an NBA game in the history of the league: In 1961, Bill Russell and some (not all) Boston Celtics played a game to protest racial rights.
Nearly 50 years later, we still have the same discussion as a nation. And NBA teams are yet to make a statement. The Milwaukee Bucks voted Wednesday against their playoff game against the Orlando Magic. Soon there was a domino effect and all of Wednesday’s NBA lead was postponed.
Standing together outside their locker room, the Milwaukee Bucks players read a statement about the boycott.
Full statement from the Milwaukee Bucks: pic.twitter.com/jjGEyVcCmB
– Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) August 26, 2020
“The past four months have shed light on the ongoing racial injustices that our African-American communities are experiencing. Citizens around the country have used their voices and platforms to speak out against these wrong things.
“In the last few days in our home state of Wisconsin, we have seen the horrific video of Jacob Blake being shot seven times in the back by a Kenosha police officer, and the extra shooting of Protestants. Despite the overwhelming plea for change, there has been no action, so our focus today may not be on basketball.
“If we take the court and represent Milwaukee and Wisconsin, we are expected to play at a high level, give maximum effort and hold each other accountable. We adhere to that standard, and at the moment we demand the same from our legislators and legal action.
“We call for justice for Jacob Blake and demand that officers be held accountable. To prevent this, it is necessary for the Wisconsin State Legislature to come back after months of action and take significant measures to address accountability issues. police, brutality and criminal law reform.We encourage all citizens to educate themselves, take peaceful and responsible action, and remember to vote on Nov.
The Bucks players could smell victory in the air.
“We fully support our players and the decision they have made,” Bucks owners Marc Lasry, Wes Edens and Jamie Dinan said in a statement. “Even though we did not know it in advance, we would wholeheartedly agree with her. The only way to bring about change is to shed light on the racial injustices that are happening to us. Our players have done that and we will stand by them and demand responsibility and change. ”
Support for the players’ actions was widespread throughout the NBA world.
Michelle Roberts, executive director of the National Basketball Players Association, released this statement.
NBPA Executive Director Michele Roberts on Player Protest and Proposal of Games pic.twitter.com/bjy6hpP9kU
– NBPA (@TheNBPA) August 27, 2020
Other owners also supported the players, including Mark Cuban of the Mavericks.
Mavs property @mcuban. pic.twitter.com/3bA46VuOuO
– Brad Townsend (@townbrad) August 26, 2020
The NBA Coaches’ Association also made a statement supporting the players.
Statement of @NBA_Coaches Association: The NBA coaches support our players 100 percent. The reboot happened in large part because of the platform it provided. The groundless shootings of Jacob Blake and other black men and women through law enforcement underscore the need for action …
– Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 26, 2020
The support runs through the league.
Require change.#JusticeForJacobBlake || #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/GXD2BOVqgJ
– Golden State Warriors (@warriors) August 27, 2020
#JusticeForJacobBlake pic.twitter.com/OhToTWSk9O
– Boston Celtics (@celtics) August 26, 2020
“It’s such a terrible situation that we’ll continue in this country even after so many years here.” – @kylekuzma pic.twitter.com/5JuFMpUrmY
Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) August 26, 2020
We stand united with the entire NBA family in the fight against racism and social injustice. Black Lives Matter. pic.twitter.com/nn13pKXqfw
– San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) August 27, 2020
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
