Michael Quinn

Social media and the sports world broke into a frenzy on Wednesday, August 26th, as news broke of the impending NBA boycott. A cluster of reactions from fans, media outlets, and the general population flooded in. Players within the NBA’s bubble had been vocal all week in regards to the James Blake shooting. Lakers’ forward LeBron James was asked what his thoughts were on the shooting, stating “I know people get tired of hearing me say it, but we are scared as Black people in America. Black men, Black women, Black kids, we are terrified.” This cancellation was not just a random impulse decision. When the players within the Milwaukee Bucks organization met and unanimously decided not to play, it was something that had been on their mind all week. This decision would not just spark a cancellation of games within the NBA, but the whole entire sports world.

Bucks’ guard, George Hill, spearheaded the discussion that led to the eventual boycott. Hill, along with all of his other teammates, exited the locker room after deciding not to take the floor and issued a statement on why they were not playing. The rest of the players in the NBA followed suit and decided they were also not going to take the floor. The goal for the players was to use their platform to bring light to the shooting of James Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin and racial injustice in general. What has happened since? Well, many of the players called for the league owners to be “proactive, rather than reactive when it came to social injustice issues.” Another action the player’s took actually occurred prior to the boycott. Players of the Milwaukee Bucks engaged in conversations with Wisconsin lawmakers and governors. “Bucks players reportedly spent significant time on the phone, which then led to Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers calling a special session of the State Legislature and urging lawmakers to vote on a legislative package that includes police reform.” The players took to action and made sure that something was being done, or that steps were being taken for change. This action put the whole entire sports world on pause, and focused on a crucial topic that was very important to athletes and the world.