The NBA just announced its plan to restart the season next month at Walt Disney World, Orlando, but bigger events are taking place in the US right now, which could lead players to refuse to play and focus on bigger matters.
Following the death of George Floyd at the hands of four police officers in Minneapolis a couple of weeks ago, several NBA stars have joined the protest against racism and police brutality across the country, asking for justice for Mr. Floyd and all the black people who have suffered racial inequality throughout their lives.
The impact the peaceful protests are making in society is big and some players might be looking to stay with people instead of joining their teams and restart the season. According to former NBA player Matt Barnes, some teams aren’t ready for the NBA return. Barnes said that he had spoken to rapper Snoop Dogg, who told him about the situation.
“A couple (of) guys from the Lakers and the Clippers … there are some whispers about some teams not being comfortable. Some guys want to play and some don’t want to play,” he said on Dunk Bait.
"A couple guys from the Lakers and the Clippers … there are some whispers about some teams not being comfortable. Some guys want to play and some don't want to play."@Matt_Barnes22 on players wanting injustices in the black community addressed before basketball resumes. pic.twitter.com/C3ULiUaZ7u
— Ball Don’t Lie (@Balldontlie) June 7, 2020
Several Lakers have posted messages supporting the Black Lives Matter movement and plenty of NBA players have been spotted marching, asking for justice for black people, so Barnes could have some solid information there. This situation is very important for everybody and NBA players, people who have a big voice, are the ones talking for those who can’t be heard.
The NBA announced the return of the season from 31st July, with 22 teams playing to win the ‘ship, but given the latest events in the country, we only can speculate about what the players are going to do.
