NBA BOYCOTT

 

On Wednesday August 26^th the Milwaukee Bucks boycotted their game against the Orlando Magic in protest over the Jacob Blake shooting where police shot him 7 times in the back, which occured in front of his kids. The Jacob Blake shooting took place about 40 minutes away from Milwaukee in Wisconsin.  The NBA quickly postpone all games over the next two days this led to discussions between NBA players debating whether they should resume the season with everything going on. When the NBA bubble began, they made sure to continue spread the message that Black Lives Matter and they also spoke on other social issues and injustices going on in America. The games resumed Saturday and the question on many people’s minds is did the players do enough. When comes to the players using their platforms many people feel as though the best to bring awareness is by not playing the rest of the season. With the belief being that by not playing it will hit the billionaire owners in their pockets ad even force them to use their political influence to bring about change.

The players have spoken with the 13 owners who are in playoff bubble and have come up with initiatives to help combat and address system racism and also making all 30 NBA Arenas polling stations. This is great because this can help encourage people to vote but help with voter suppression by providing an additional place for people to vote. Most arenas are in the heart of a major city where most people live and have access to get to as well. 

The NBA players are in an unfair situation because unfortunately when it comes to black people our voices  go unheard. When we see celebrities or athletes, we look to them not only speak up but also do things that white counter parts are not asked. In the eyes of many black people the postponement of two days of games is seen as another symbolic gesture same as wearing t shirt or having black lives matter displayed on the court is. When it comes to America change seems to come when money is affected. Which is why many people think the players should cancel the rest of the season have the owners apply pressure to the politicians so that laws can be put in place to help fight against police brutality and systemic racism. Many players feel that their platform is best used where they can be seen by millions of people and that them playing is best way for them to use their platform. 

Money is truly the ultimate motivator no better example than the Washington Football team changing their name due to pressure brought about from multi billion-dollar companies who wanted a name change. I am on the fence about the players decision to play because I understand both both sides of the argument when it comes to resuming play. Muhammad Ali gave up the prime of his career for what he believed in when he refused to fight in the Vietnam War. When you have as much power as athletes do today and with how much money is invested in them, the question will always be are they using their power to it’s full extent.

NBA PLAYOFFS OVERVIEW OF FIRST ROUND

 

The NBA Playoffs are under way with many great match ups including 4 of the 8 series having each team having won at least 1 game through at least 2 games the teams have played in. This has proven to be an intriguing NBA playoffs with both top seeds of each conference, Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers, losing in game 1 against the 8^th seeded teams. Both teams bounced back game 2 of their series with both teams winning by double digits. In addition, there are some one-sided series as well where teams have a 3-0 lead. The Boston Celtics are up 3-0 on the Philadelphia 76ers getting ready to complete the sweep on Sunday. Also, the defending NBA Champions the Toronto Raptors are up 3-0 on the Brooklyn Nets. Theses two 2 series are significant due to the fact no teams have come back from 3-0 in NBA playoff history. Some of the other playoff series include the Houston Rockets and the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Rockets are up 2-0 games to none and are looking to win even though the Rockets are playing without All- Star guard Russell Westbrook. Westbrook is out with a quad injury and hope to return in a few games.  The Utah Jazz are up 2 -1 against the Denver Nuggets; Jazz Point guard Mike Conley will be the key for how the series turns out. The Los Angeles Clippers are up 2-1 on the Dallas Mavericks; Luka Doncic left last night game with an ankle injury. If he is hindered in any win the Clippers will win in 5 games. Lastly the Miami Heat are up 2 games to 0 against the Indiana Pacers. I predict three teams will be swept in the first round.  Next week we examine the entire First Round and discuss the best of the remaining teams.  

 

BLAZERS VS GRIZZLIES PREVIEW

 

The play in game to determine the 8^th seed in the Western Conference is set it will be the Portland Trailblazers vs the Memphis Grizzlies. The Trailblazers are the 8^th seed which means they have to beat the Grizzlies just once to clinch the 8^th seed and play the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday. The Grizzlies will have to win not just on Saturday but also must win an additional game on Sunday to officially be in the playoffs. The tables have turned when it comes to the Grizzlies and the Trailblazers when it comes to the health of key players. The Grizzlies  prior to the NBA shutting down were in sole possession of the 8th seed and a healthy team. Since then they have lost Jaron Jackson Jr to a season ending injury; in contrast the Trailblazers were not fully healthy all season. Once the restart began the Blazers were able to get healthy adding big men Zach Collins and Jusuf Nurkic who both returned from injuries that kept them out from the beginning of the season. Also, if you look at the records of the two teams since the restart you would think the Blazers are going to run away with the game Saturday afternoon.  The Grizzlies are 2-6 since the restart and the Blazers are 6-2 with arguably the NBA Bubble MVP in Damian Lillard. The two teams are opposite the Grizzlies are a young inexperience team and the Trailblazers are a veteran team with tons of playoff experience. The Grizzlies are a young hungry team and with the lack of defense that the Trailblazers play  have a chance to take game 1 on Saturday to force a decisive game 2 on Sunday. The game will come down this key matchup which is Damian Lillard vs Ja Morant. I predict the Trailblazers will win on Saturday and clinch the final play spot with big contribution coming from Carmelo Anthony. It will be highly contested game but in the end the Blazers will win 115-105.