NBA Stars Express Concerns Over Finishing The Season In The Midst Of Racial Tensions
By: Omar Cook
The NBA season is set to resume on July 30 in Orlando featuring an 8 game schedule and 22 teams, but players are concerned over wether or not this is the right time to play. In the midst of major racial tensions in our country and unified efforts to address police brutality, bringing sports into the mix seems to be a distraction from what’s truly important. With covid-19 shutting down all sports and quarantining most of the country for the past couple months, this is really the first time that racial issues have held the main stage.
Nets guard and vice president of the NBPA Kyrie Irving led a conference call featuring 80 plus players from around the league where players were able to voice their opinions about how they felt.
“I don’t support going into Orlando — I’m not with the systematic racism and the bullshit. Something smells a little fishy.”
Kyrie reportedly said he is “willing to give up everything” for social reform. His comments came as a surprise to many fans but we have seen athletes take a stand and give up their careers for social justice just as former WNBA star Maya Moore did when she decided to devote her time fully to social activism.
Kyrie was met with mixed reviews with some fans showing support and understanding where he was coming from while others were upset at him speaking against the NBA. I can understand both view points, about why continuing the season could be beneficial but also how it can be a distraction. Everyday we turn the news on, it is draining to see negative portrayals of Black men and to force athletes who may not be in the right mental state at this time to compete, could definitely be a lot to ask for.
Austin Rivers shared a difference of opinion, stating that “with this money you could help out even more people and continue to give more importantly your time and energy towards the BLM movement.”
Austin Rivers on the Kyrie/NBA situation pic.twitter.com/L0dwoD7c6h
— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) June 13, 2020
Clippers guard Lou Williams also shared his thoughts, saying a return to the NBA would be a a distraction.
I think we all would love to see sports come back and enjoy games, but it is also a pivotal time in history when the world is in full focus on racial issues. Stephen Jackson posted a video to say “now ain’t the time to be playing basketball.”
Stephen Jackson speaks on the return of the NBA. 👀
— Da Kid Gowie (@DaKidGowie) June 13, 2020
“Playing basketball’s going to do one thing. Take all the attention off the task at hand.” pic.twitter.com/JEG5C68a7Q
There are immediate changes that need to made to our society and while we all love sports, they can definitely take a backseat at the moment
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