“I think guys are gathering to really talk about and dive deep into the idea of not playing.”

Prior to the 2014 release of an audio recording of racist comments made by Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Serling, it was uncommon for Black players in the NBA to publicly discuss racism. The tape, however, changed all that. In the documentary Blackballed, players recounted the difficult choice they faced in deciding whether to not play for the rest of the season—they were on track to make it into the Playoffs. In the end, the players’s statements and unified actions as a team resulted in the forced sale of Donald Serling’s ownership of the team. What a difference in the world six years later.

The NBA is in the process of establishing safety protocols for the upcoming season. For all professionial sports, there is talk of somehow creating an isolation bubble so that players don’t infect each other with COVID-19. In theory, it means limiting player contact to a small “quaranteam” outside of the stadium. The George Floyd protests, however, have seen increased activism by players supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. And that public activism, including involvement in protests, puts them in conflict with maintaining an isolation bubble during the season.

It opens up the question of whether players in other sports, such as the MLB whose season starts possibly maybe “it’s anyone’s guess” in mid-July, will also call for postponing their seasons.

Further reading

Player Pushback Emerges as N.B.A. Works to Complete Restart PlansSome worry that continuing the season would hamper the active role several players have taken in the Black Lives Matter movement.www.nytimes.com

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Sports has always been Political: Blackballed on Quibi"What the players were doing was really really dangerous." Its amazing how a story can captivate your attention even when the topic or genre falls outside of your normal range of interests. Sports ...cake.co

Another issue as well is there are concerns about the living conditions. The proposed plan involves players living in a bubble of sorts in Orlando (where the games will be played). The issue is some players want to be able to see their familes and there's also concerns about still contracting the virus. Not to mention what happens if a player tests positive. That player will need to be quarantined and a replacement player from a pool of G-League (NBA's minor league) players and free agents will be needed. The NBA is planning on giving teams the flexibility to sign up to 17 players at a time and also there are some players arguing they shouldn't be penalized if they don't want to play for safety reasons.

NBA players' worries growing about Orlando restartCarmelo Anthony wasn't alone. The Blazers forward is not the only NBA player hesitant about the 22-team restart in Orlando at the end of July as the novel coronavirus pandemic remains a threat. Acc...nypost.com

It seems like Kyrie Irving is leading the movement to not play while LeBron James is leading the movement to play. There's actually quite a few players who do want to finish the season. It's a bit easier for Irving to talk about not finsihing the season since he's out with shoulder surgery anyways, his team (Brooklyn Nets) isn't a contender, and he already has a ton of money. But if you are on a contending team (such as LeBron James on the Lakers or Giannis Antetokounmpo on the Bucks), this isn't a year you want to skip. And then if you're a guy who isn't making top league money, you're gonna want those paychecks.

LeBron James leading pushback against Kyrie Irving's NBA restart standKyrie Irving's stance against the NBA, which has been shutdown since March because of the coronavirus pandemic, resuming play amid a social justice movement has significant support among his peers....nypost.com

One more thing: I think NBA players can walk and chew gum at the same time. Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo was out showing support for Black Lives Matter and he's arguably the top player in the league on a contending team. I think players can do more if they play the games and then use the games to help promote Black Lives Matter. Where BLM warmups, headbands, wrist bands, etc.