In wake of the tragic shooting of Jacob Blake by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin, NBA players have taken a stand to make their cries for change heard.
Just minutes ago, the Milwaukee Bucks made NBA History by electing to boycott their game against the Orlando Magic. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said the team stayed in the locker room as they tried to contact Milwaukee’s Attorney General.
Bucks players are in locker room attempting to reach the attorney general of Wisconsin, Josh Kaul, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium. Magic players are leaving the arena soon — not accepting the Bucks‘ forfeit.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 26, 2020
It was only moments later that a wave of cancelations saw all other games on the docket be postponed, and a chorus of Tweets by players were sent out by players, who demanded change and supported the decision to sit out the games.
We have the strongest, most unified league in the world!!! #change
— Kevin Love (@kevinlove) August 26, 2020
FUCK THIS MAN!!!! WE DEMAND CHANGE. SICK OF IT
— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 26, 2020
SALUTE ✊🏾 @Bucks
— 13am Adebayo (@Bam1of1) August 26, 2020
Proud of my brothers✊🏻@Bucks @NBA #NecessaryGoodTrouble #EnoughIsEnough pic.twitter.com/sYOos4prW8
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) August 26, 2020
this shit gotta stop ‼️
— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) August 26, 2020
STAND UP! ✊🏼
— Mario Hezonja (@mariohezonja) August 26, 2020
WE DEMAND CHANGE!!!!
— Tyus Jones (@1Tyus) August 26, 2020
Respect! ✊🏾
— LaMarcus Aldridge (@aldridge_12) August 26, 2020
Proud of our players! @Nba
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) August 26, 2020
WE DEMAND JUSTICE!!!
— Jamal Murray (@BeMore27) August 26, 2020
✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽✊🏼✊🏻
— Nicolas Batum (@nicolas88batum) August 26, 2020
Proud to be apart of this League… even more today ! WE WANT CHANGE🖤🖤
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) August 26, 2020
This shit bigger than basketball! Whoever don’t understand that is part of the problem.
— DeMar DeRozan (@DeMar_DeRozan) August 26, 2020
https://twitter.com/FCHWPO/status/1298393674120929281
We can expect much more to be said over the next few hours and days. This is an issue that is bigger than basketball.
As for what we can expect going forward, nobody really knows. Things like this never really happen in professional sports and for it to happen now, after all the work the league did in getting the season restarted, puts things in a whole new light of uncertainty.
Regardless, this isn’t something that will just go away. In fact, until justice is brought to Jacob Blake’s killers, we may never hear the end of it — and rightfully so.
