The Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics were on the verge of boycotting Wednesday's game due to Donald Trump supporters holding a riot at the US Capitol. Fortunately, the two teams decided to head to the floor and continue the game.
After the game, Jimmy Butler shared the thought process that went behind the decision to suit up.
Per Ruthie Polinsky of NBC 6, Butler described what America has been like. The Heat star also recalled the 2020 NBA Playoffs where teams decided not to play after the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
“Everybody knows what's going on in the world. Can't hide from that. We see the two different USA's that we live in. It's sad. But all in all we came to the conclusion we were going to hoop. We know what it is. You're not fooling us,” Jimmy Butler shared.
Butler's thoughts pretty much echoed the joint statement by both the Heat and the Celtics just before tipoff. Per ESPN, the statement read in part:
“The drastic difference between the way protesters this past spring and summer were treated and the encouragement given to today's protestors who acted illegally just shows how much more work we have to do.
“We have decided to play tonight's game to try to bring joy into people's lives. But we must not forget the injustices in our society, and we will continue to use our voices and our platform to highlight these issues and do everything we can to work for a more equal and just America.”
The NBA has famously given its players a voice with regard to the socio-political happenings in the US. In the coming days, fans should expect several players–not only from the Celtics and Heat–to share their opinions on the riots at the US Capitol.
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