The NBA and the NBPA (National Basketball Players Association) have decided to resume the playoffs Saturday. The last 24 hours have been quite hectic. Beginning with the Milwaukee Bucks walkout, debates among players inside the bubble on whether to continue playing or not, Michael Jordan speaking to the players, Doc Rivers giving his emotional response on the social injustice in America, and other events.
Commissioner Adam Silver and NBPA Executive Director Michele Roberts released a joint statement this morning. The statement says that all parties from players, coaches, and team governors had a “candid, impassioned, and productive” conversation regarding the next steps to further their efforts in social justice and racial equality.
The statement also addresses three commitments that both the league and players will work on together. First being that the NBA and its players will immediately establish a social justice coalition. This will focus on a variety of issues such as “increasing the access to voting, promoting civic engagement, and advocating for meaningful police and criminal reform.
The next commitment is that each city in which the league owns and controls the arena property, it will be converted into a location for the 2020 general election to allow for “safe in person” voitng option for those communities that are affected by the Covid 19. Included in this commitment is that if a deadline is passed, the board of governors will work with local election officials to find another way to use the facility for election related options.
Lastly, the final commitment states that the league will work with players and network partners to create and advertise spots in each NBA playoff game dedicated to promtoe greater civic engagement in national and local elections as well as raising awareness of voting access and opportunity.
If the playoffs were to end due to players refusing to play, both the league and players would end up losing money. As well as losing the platform they have in the form of the bubble. With many people glued to watching the NBA playoffs, the messages are right there with “Black Lives Matter” across the court, every player having a statement written on the back of their jersey, and coaches with the same message on their shirts. If players were to go home, we know that superstars and other established players’ voices would be heard but other players wouldn’t get their voice across.
In the end, the players have gained more leverage through this hold out for social justice and racial equality rather than losing it. After putting their foot down and showing how serious they are with what is going on, the league had no other choice but to listen. Lakers guard JR Smith gave a message through Instagram that was quite profound, saying “Oh don’t hear us… Well now you can’t see us”. The NBA is leading the charge in racial equality and social change and doesn’t plan on looking back on trying to make a difference for everyone.
