The Athletic reports that Nets point guard Kyrie Irving, who is facing an NBA bully in the fight against injustice after The death of George Floyd, is gaining more and more players to his cause.
Kyrie Irving strongly opposes the nba’s takeover, according to The Athletic. The Nets point guard reportedly rejected the organization of the end of the season in Orlando, Florida, in a phone call with more than 80 other NBA players. “I’m not in favour of going to Orlando,” he was quoted as saying. I oppose systematic racism and all that mess. There’s something wrong…”
Kyrie Irving told NBA players on call Friday, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium::”I don’t support going into Orlando. I’m not with the systematic racism and the bullshit. Something smells a little fishy.”
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 13, 2020
Irving: “As blacks, we are a target”
As ESPN reported Thursday, a very large group of NBA players had expressed doubts about the gathering of teams in Florida, especially in the context of the fight against racial injustice in which he could no longer take part. “Whether we admit it or not, as blacks, we are a target as soon as we get up in the morning,” Irving, who wants to continue this fight, insisted.
Until now, no player had formally expressed his refusal to participate in this summer’s rally at Disney World in these terms. This could be a first turning point. Kyrie Irving, who had shoulder surgery in February, is not expected to play in any of the games. But he could encourage a group of players, who are already afraid of on-site isolation and the prospect of being away from his family, to join his cause.
Games behind closed doors until October 12
The Los Angeles Lakers players, with the notable exception of LeBron James, are said to have sided with him after the crime committed on the person of George Floyd. Suspended since March 11 due to the pandemic, the basketball season is scheduled to resume on July 31 in the United States, with 22 teams all gathered in Florida to play games behind closed doors, until October 12 at the latest.
According to ESPN, the NBA has reached an agreement with the players’ union to allow them to forfeit without incurring the risk of a sanction. Players whose special health conditions put them at risk of Covid-19 contagion will be able to avoid travel. Those who would invoke another factor as well, but they would not receive the salary for the matches they should have played.
