Boston Celtics: Where C’s and Raptors stand on boycotting Game 1
The Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors met last night to discuss the possibility of boycotting game one of their Eastern Conference semifinals series. Here’s where the two teams stand as of right now.
Following the police shooting of another unarmed black American, the hot topic of the NBA’s Lake Buena Vista bubble has been the Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors potentially boycotting the first game of their Eastern Conference semifinals matchup.
Where there is smoke, there is fire, and there appears to be a lot more fire than just players mentioning the possibility in passing during a press conference or an interview:
Raptors & Celtics players met last night at their hotel about possibly boycotting tomorrow Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals and other potential measures in light of the Jacob Blake shooting, a source told @TheUndefeated. Source from both teams says everything on table.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) August 26, 2020
Nurse: "Boycotting the game has come up for them, as a way to try to demand a little more action. That’s really what they want. I think there is enough attention and not quite enough action."
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) August 26, 2020
If action is what they are looking for, there’d be fewer blockbuster statements to make than sitting out. Some players may plan to take it even farther than taking a game off:
Raptors head coach Nick Nurse says he has heard a couple of players talk about going home.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) August 26, 2020
It is clear that players are sick and tired of what is happening in the world to people just like them. The whole purpose of the NBA’s return during a period of social unrest was to raise awareness and spread a message of unity. Clearly many players feel that their efforts are falling on deaf ears.
This may be the only way to reach a number of Americans who look beyond the league’s agenda and continue to watch the sport. With Jaylen Brown and Fred VanVleet leading the charge, the Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors have discussed the best way to make a statement, and it could mean sitting out more than just one game.
Next. C's-Raptors series set to make history no matter what. dark