In a crazy turn of events in an already insane day, news has emerged out of the meeting that NBA players had tonight. The Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers have reportedly voted to boycott the remainder of the NBA season, with all other NBA teams voting to continue. Shams Charania of The Athletic reported the news below, saying that LeBron James even exited the meeting with the Lakers and Clippers leaving as well.
Sources: The Lakers and Clippers have voted to boycott the NBA season. Most other teams voted to continue. LeBron James has exited the meeting.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 27, 2020
The players were meeting after a day that saw the Milwaukee Bucks boycott their playoff game against the Orlando Magic, subsequently resulting the Rockets-Thunder game, and Lakers-Blazers game. The move was in response to the police shooting of Kenosha, Wisconsin resident Jacob Blake, who was shot seven times in the back in front of his children.
Sources: Miami's Udonis Haslem spoke and essentially told everyone in room that — without Lakers and Clippers, how will season continue?
LeBron James walked out. Rest of Lakers and Clippers exited behind him.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 27, 2020
The meeting apparently became contentious, as Charania also reports that Miami Heat’s Udonis Haslem spoke out to the group about the sheer possibilities of being able to manage a season without the Lakers and Clippers. It seems as though that this discussion may have hurt LeBron, resulting in him leaving with his team and the Clippers in tow. David Aldridge of The Athletic even reported that the meeting became “ugly”. The meeting must have been emotional, as Keith Pompeo of the Philly Inquirer noted that it started with a Zoom call with Jacob Blake’s family.
Although the Bucks were applauded earlier in the day for their decision to boycott their game, it was also reported by Charania that there was possibly some animosity towards the Bucks from other teams as they surprised many with the decision. The word “blind-sided” was even used.
Sources: There was some frustration in meeting toward Bucks blindsiding on walk-out plan. Bucks’ George Hill admitted he first sparked conversation pregame to boycott contest, teammates supported.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 27, 2020
Today has been a wild day in NBA history, but that is nothing compared to the state of racism in America that continues year, after year, after year. Whatever decision that the players make regarding this season, it’s time to support them and hope that a unanimous, united decision is reached regarding the situation.
Demand Justice pic.twitter.com/AzBIxP9ZqT
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) August 27, 2020
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