Vista of Lake Buena, Fla. – A few turbulent days on the court for the LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers came after a relatively straight win over him. The Lakers’ 131-122 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday closed their first-round playoff series 4-1.
As much as LA’s postseason hopes might seem to be in jeopardy after leaving Game 1 for Portland – boasting of Bubble’s hottest team at the time, the seeding round MVP, Damien Lillard – things looked even more dire on Wednesday. That was when the Milwaukee Bucks unilaterally decided not to play their playoff game to protest the police firing of black man Jacob Blake in Canosha, Wisconsin, threatening to derail the entire playoff.
While the Lakers voted against continuing the season in a controversial meeting with all 13 teams remaining in the bubble later Wednesday night, James explained his reasoning after the win over the Blazers.
“I’m not here for the Milwaukee decision or classification.” He said after putting up 10 points on a 14-for-19 shooting, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in 5 games – marking the second time in his career where his average triple-double for a full playoff series. “We were all standing with them.”
But the Lexers were also protected by Bucks’ decision. Many members of the Lakers were taking a nap in their bias for what was originally going to be Game 5 against Portland on Wednesday when Milwaukee decided it would not take to court for the game against the Orlando Magic.
The Lake Kalahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets will not play their game in solidarity with the Bucks, just as the Lakers’ inspiring team met and agreed not to play their game.
“From that point on, my mind began to figure out what the plan was ahead, and if we didn’t have a plan, then what would we talk about, why are we still here?” Said James. “That’s when my mind went crazy. At one point I had no plans to move forward, no plan of action. I’m not, personally, I’m not that kind of person. I’m not that kind of person who doesn’t have a plan, and then to act It’s not ready yet, so we had a few days to decide. “
Following a call with former President Barack Obama on Wednesday night, Obama urged James and a small group of players to continue the season, but only after receiving a commitment from league owners to influence social change did James find a way back on Thursday to play.
James said the group he joined had a direct dialogue with the league’s owners about what could happen.
He said, “They took it very seriously, they were very frank, the needle runs in our respective cities and our communities on what we believe and we were very frank on how important this moment is.”
Both parties agreed on a tripartite plan that would allow the resumption of games: the formation of a social justice alliance; Commitment to use team facilities as polling stations in every NBA city; And broadcast ads focused on voting engagement during each playoff telecast.
Players trust the owners with their commitment.
James said, “Give me what you can … Your word and I will hold it with the utmost respect.”
Anthony Davis, who scored 43 points on 14-for-18 shooting and nine rebounds in Game 5, said players would not hesitate to boycott again if promises were not made.
“We have the advantage,” he said, according to figures compiled by the Elias Sports Bureau. “After the meetings, we are very confident that they will [hold up their commitment]. The conversation went well. And if he doesn’t, we won’t play again. It’s as simple as that. And also I said, after the meetings, it was a very powerful, effective meeting and I think the owners will. “
James, who is now in the first round of the playoffs all the time, said he never thought about ending the streak by letting go of the bubble due to the circumstances surrounding Blake – as he said after the game, It’s done and the other half is about how I can help more black people in America. “- But he’s got a different grind of the league’s satellite campus.
“I’ve spent countless nights and days thinking of releasing the bubble. I think everyone has it.” “I don’t think there’s a single person who doesn’t have the mind to say, ‘Oh, I got hell out of here.’ … It probably crosses my mind once a day. “
Those ideas will definitely survive but will not guarantee James what he calls the NBA’s “mission” to promote social programs to promote racial equality in the country.
The Lakers may have made history since Saturday with their first-round win – their first series win as an organization since 2012, and their first win without Kobe Bryant on their team since 1995 – but James says he hopes the league will get through this. Happened Week will only signal a gra historical change through the lens of the game.
“Only time will tell, but hopefully the last few days have changed for the better in the future.” “When you see change in the future, you can go back and say that it was the moment when it happened. It was the main moment when it happened.
“Obviously Bubble Season will never be forgotten when it comes to the game. This is the first time we’ve been able to do something like this, but, apparently, this moment is much bigger than us playing basketball.”
.
