With everything that is going on in the country right now, players on both the Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors have discussed the possibility of boycotting games to make a true statement.
These were the words of Marcus Smart regarding the possibility of both the Boston Celtics and the Toronto Raptors boycotting Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinals series:
"“It’s definitely something that’s in the back of our minds.”"
Something seismic is happening in the NBA, and in the country at large. Following yet another shooting by a police officer on an unarmed black American, the mood in the bubble has changed:
Personal observation: Players are visibly shattered the last 48 hours. Many believed coming down to Orlando, using the platform would inspire change. See what happened in Wisconsin — it’s made many wonder if it was worth it.
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) August 25, 2020
Jaylen Brown: pic.twitter.com/zsV07dVUx0
— Nicole Yang (@nicolecyang) August 25, 2020
Enough is enough.
Many people watching these games are likely still not absorbing the messages shared by the players in their interviews and on the backs of their jerseys. Lets’ be real: some clusters of basketball watchers do so purely for betting purposes. Then, there’s the small percentage of unfortunate souls who actually tuned out because of the NBA’s pro-Black Lives Matter stance.
Well, the Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors have a chance to truly capture the attention of fans in a more effective way than putting on the game of the century: play no game at all.
There is no other way to stress the importance of the gravity this very moment in time possesses. After being prioritized by the country’s leadership to return, professional sports have a platform to get the attention of the current administration and push for the correct prioritization of the issues plaguing this country…even if stubbornness and downright opposition are the more likely results.
We’re at the point of no return. Right now, players need to do what they believe is right. They’ve already sacrificed time spent with their families during a pandemic to give up their basic liberties and cooperate with health and safety protocols to finish up the season and entertain us.
It would only be right to not only allow them to make the decision to not play…but to support them as well. Adam Silver has done a lot of things right so far as NBA Commissioner, and this would be another in a long line of socially responsible and morally upstanding decisions made by professional sports’ top league figurehead.