The Milwaukee Bucks stood together in unity in a continued stand against police brutality and boycotted Game 5 of the NBA Playoffs against the Orlando Magic. The move comes following the shooting of Jacob Blake by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin, the second police shooting in Wisconsin in less than three months. It’s important to note that Kenosha is one hour south of the Bucks homecourt in Milwaukee, WI.
Milwaukee Bucks Boycott Game 5 to Protest Police Brutality
The Milwaukee Bucks have decided to boycott Game 5, source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 26, 2020
The NBA has been vocal in its support of the Black Lives Movement since restarting the season following the suspension of the season in March due to the coronavirus pandemic by allowing the players to place a police brutality victim’s name on their jerseys along with having Black Lives Matter painted on the courts and in the electronic banner surrounding the courts.
The Issue
The league’s support of the movement began long before the season restarted when the nation broke out in civil protest following the killing of George Floyd in May in Milwaukee, WI. Many Players spoke out at that time proclaiming their support for the protesters and their disdain with the continued police brutality across the nation. Also, in an unusual move, Commissioner Adam Silver, who has made it a point to avoid politics, spoke out against the killings and in support of the protestors and the players in his league.
This latest police shooting and the murder of George Floyd hit particularly close to home for Bucks’ player, Sterling Brown, who himself experienced police brutality two years ago, in Milwaukee. Brown penned an op-ed for The Players Tribune, recounting his experience and the city of Milwaukee’s attempts to pay him off in a settlement for his silence. Brown refused to be silent, instead, he did the opposite and let the world know his story. The Bucks are not only standing behind the movement of equality for all and the Milwaukee community, but they are also standing behind their teammate.
What Next?
It is unclear if the Bucks will lose the game by forfeiture and it will be interesting to see if the other teams in the playoffs follow the lead of Milwaukee. The ramifications of this action remain to be seen as many rules have been waived during this historical season. The Bucks are sending a clear message, words are not enough, action must be taken.
In a season that has experienced so many unprecedented scenarios, these players, teams, and the league will come out on the right side of history. Not only in their amazing response to the pandemic, but with their unwavering support of the players and communities across the nation. There will. be plenty of naysayers who will have plenty of negativity in response to this action, however, the Bucks players, management and ownership deserve much respect for again not only saying, but showing, it’s about more than basketball.