The Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics have discussed the possibility of boycotting games following the continued acts of police brutality against Black people in the United States.
The shooting of Jacob Blake seven times by police officers in Kenosha, Wisconsin has added a layer of even more anger towards the police and that frustration has reached players who are still in the NBA bubble. LeBron James reacted after last night’s Game 4 by discussing the frustrations and fear Black people feel in this country, both with the police and armed citizens carrying out violence.
The conversation changed drastically on Tuesday with two teams, the Boston Celtics and the Toronto Raptors, preparing to start their second-round series later this week.
Marcus Smart of the Celtics said that what the NBA has been trying to do is not working.
Raptors guard Norman Powell also said that a boycott is among the things being discussed.
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“I think it’s been talked about,” Powell said about a potential boycott of games. “I think everybody is at the point of sitting up and saying, ‘Black Lives Matter’ and sitting up and having these discussions in Zoom calls. That’s not getting the job done. Taking a knee for the anthem, that’s not getting the job done. It’s starting to get washed out.”
“I’m in a different place today, emotionally speaking. It’s starting to feel like everything we’re doing is just going through the motions, nothing’s changing,” Fred VanVleet said.
“What are we willing to give up? Do we actually give a f— about what’s going on?”
Blake has survived the shooting, but is paralyzed from the waist down.
“I’m pretty sick to my stomach to have to sit up here and talk about this again,” said Norm Powell.
