Due to ongoing widespread abuses of power by police officers, including the recent shooting of Jacob Blake seven times in the back, all NBA games were postponed on Wednesday as all teams involved went on strike in order to bring attention to these continuing issues. On Wednesday night, all teams in the bubble in Orlando, Florida met in order to discuss the future of the league in the wake of these protests and the players striking. According to reporting from Shams Charania of The Athletic, both Los Angeles teams, the Lakers and the Clippers, led by LeBron James, were in favor of boycotting the rest of the season.
Sources: The Lakers and Clippers have voted to boycott the NBA season. Most other teams voted to continue. LeBron James has exited the meeting.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 27, 2020
Sources: Every team besides Lakers and Clippers voted to continue playing. LeBron James said in meeting he want owners to be more involved/take action.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 27, 2020
As you can see, it seems that four-time MVP and biggest name in the NBA, LeBron James, played a large role in the proceedings, and his voice has long been the most important when it comes to social issues in the NBA.
Though all the teams went on strike on Wednesday, it seems a little surprising that Charania believes that “most teams” voted to return to action.
The NBA had already prioritized ongoing social unrest and major social issues involving the continued mistreatment of Black Americans during the NBA’s restart with prominent “Black Lives Matter” decals on the courts – as well as the inclusion of social justice messages on players’ jerseys such as “Equality,” “Peace,” “Respect Us,” “How Many More” and simply “Black Lives Matter.”
The continued spotlight the NBA and its players are shining on this issue is laudable, and this story will continue to evolve as more details of the NBA’s machinations about the playoffs are made available.
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