Milwaukee Bucks’ Players boycotted Game 5 of their playoff series earlier today to protest the police shooting of 29-year-old Jacob Blake in Wisconsin. The NBA as league added into the boycott and postponed all of the three games that were going to go down on Wednesday, August 26, 2020.
This decision hit home for many of the Milwaukee players as the horrific incident occurred not too far from where the team is located. Blake was shot seven times by police on Sunday. In a more in- depth overview Blake was seen in a viral video unarmed attempting to enter his vehicle with three of his children inside in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
The video was seen by many, as it led to most players being angry in seeing the viral video which led them to make the decision of not playing Wednesday Game. In hopes many will realize there is Racial Injustice, and Police Brutality Acts happening nationwide.
“We fully Support our Players and the decision they made. Although we did not know beforehand. We would have WHOLEHEARTEDLY AGREED with them. The only way to bring change is to shine a light on the RACIAL INJUSTICES that are happening in front of us. Our players have done that and we will continue to stand alongside them and DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY AND CHANGE.” Milwaukee Bucks Owners Marc Lasry, Wes Edens, and Jamie Dinan stated in an Instagram Post.
The Bucks’ were scheduled to play against the Orlando Magic at 4 p.m. at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The players were not in their locker rooms at an assigned time instead were seen on NBA TV sitting out and protesting instead.
“The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association today announced that in light of the Milwaukee Bucks’ decision to not take the floor today for Game 5 against the Orlando Magic, today’s three games — Bucks vs. Magic, Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Lakers vs. Portland Trail Blazers — have been postponed,” the NBA said in a Statement.
In the world of basketball players are on contracts which means there are certain rules and laws that need to be followed. They broke one rule known as “No strike And No-Lockout Provisions and Other Undertakings. Which means Players in association shall engage in any strikes, cessations or stoppages of work.
In other words the Bucks’ players broke their own contracts to boycott in order to protest racial injustice and police violence. Many Players knew this, but decided to boycott for a cause they believe is worth them not playing the Game 5 Playoff series.
