Today, on August 26th 2020, the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association announced that tonight’s three playoff games have been postponed. In light of the Milwaukee Bucks’ decision to boycott game 5 against the Orlando Magic the rest of the teams soon followed in those same footsteps including the Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Los Angeles Lakers vs. Portland Trail Blazers. The decision to sit out on game 5 of the playoff series came from the horrific news of yet another police brutality case in Kenosha, Wisconsin against a 29-year-old American black man by the name of Jacob Blake.
Just three days ago on August 23rd, 2020 Jacob S. Blake was shot seven times from behind by police officers. Jacob walked into a heated argument between two women on Sunday evening and as he was walking away and into the drivers side door of his car police followed closely behind, resulting in them shooting Jacob seven times as he was leaning into the car. As if this was not horrible enough, Jacob’s three sons were inside of the car. He is luckily still alive in intensive care fighting for his life. Jacob suffered multiple injuries including damage to his kidney, liver, spinal cord, and gun-shot wounds in his arm. Sources have said that it will be a miracle if he can ever walk again.
Players from every sport have made statements and reacted to the news of boycotts made by the NBA including Lebron James, Jamal Murray, George Hill, Dwayne Wade as well as NFL players Tyrann Mathieu, Dez Bryant, Kenny Stills, and so many more. All have made statements showing their respect to the Bucks for the courageous decision to walk out of game 5 as well as showing their frustrations and demanding change and justice. “Some things are bigger than basketball. The stand taken today by the players and org shows that we’re fed up. Enough is enough. Change needs to happen. I’m incredibly proud of our guys and we stand 100% behind our players ready to assist and bring about real change,” Alex Lasry, Senior Vice President of the Milwaukee Bucks, tweeted out today. Players and teams all across the sports world are joining in to help support the Bucks’ decision and join in protest for Jacob Blake by also choosing not to play.
This is a monumental day that will go down in the history of Sports. Games in every sport are being cancelled as we speak and seasons are in jeopardy because of the actions that took place in Kenosha, Wisconsin because teams and players want to bring justice for Jacob. NBA players have called for a meeting that will take place tonight at 8pm to determine what the next steps will be.
It is so hard for those of us that have not personally faced such cruel injustices to truly understand the pain that African American individuals face everyday, but we can all stand up and help make the change that is so desperately needed in our world today. We cannot be silent. We must stand for the sake of our people and our world today and not stop until justice is served. On behalf of myself and the whole Back Sports Page team, our thoughts and prayers go out to Jacob Blake and his whole family. May he receive the justice he so rightfully deserves.
