NBA Thread

[NDVirginia19]

I just don't see how in any sort of way this changes anything. People are demanding mob justice for actions that still need to be investigated. Yes, there are a lot of injustices that need to be corrected, I think the entire country is aware of that now. However, I'm just curious what not playing basketball is going to do? It's not going to make congress or states' legislatures make their minds up anytime soon. It's not like these games are generating any revenue for localities at the moment. As more comes out about what happened to Blake, the less unreasonable the judgement of the officers becomes. That seems to be such a common theme to these types of cases.

 

[Ndaccountant]

I just don't see how in any sort of way this changes anything. People are demanding mob justice for actions that still need to be investigated. Yes, there are a lot of injustices that need to be corrected, I think the entire country is aware of that now. However, I'm just curious what not playing basketball is going to do? It's not going to make congress or states' legislatures make their minds up anytime soon. It's not like these games are generating any revenue for localities at the moment. As more comes out about what happened to Blake, the less unreasonable the judgement of the officers becomes. That seems to be such a common theme to these types of cases.

On the flip side, what does staying isolated in Orlando accomplish for the players, besided getting paid?

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

I just don't see how in any sort of way this changes anything. People are demanding mob justice for actions that still need to be investigated. Yes, there are a lot of injustices that need to be corrected, I think the entire country is aware of that now. However, I'm just curious what not playing basketball is going to do? It's not going to make congress or states' legislatures make their minds up anytime soon. It's not like these games are generating any revenue for localities at the moment. As more comes out about what happened to Blake, the less unreasonable the judgement of the officers becomes. That seems to be such a common theme to these types of cases.

In a vacuum yes. This one incident still needs to be investigated. Not in a vacuum, when you can see a video of 4 officers shot an unthreatening man moving away from in the back 7 times at close range versus a white man chasing a police officer around car and not get shot, or a illegally armed teen kill protesters and walk through the police line and allowed to go home before he is arrested is what people are rightfully upset about.

I know someone will soon say but they are shooting more white people than blacks... blah blah blah... Maybe so. OR maybe police have become militarized to the point that they are not doing their basic function of to protect and serve and instead have taken to acting as executioner and shitting on due process.

Ignore the racial component and ask why are police all over the country killing citizens? Every video that comes out shows the same thing. A lack of training, escalating situations instead of de-escalation, poor judge, and use of lethal force instead of securing the perp and ensuring due process and a day in court. No crime in america deserves death until that day in court is held and due process was granted. Its a constituional violation IMO.

 

[NDVirginia19]

On the flip side, what does staying isolated in Orlando accomplish for the players, besided getting paid?

I think neither will really accomplish anything. Why do our popular culture figures all have to be in the political arena? Why can't there be any aspects of our lives that are not inundated with politics? I'm not saying 'shut up and dribble'. I don't care what the athletes are doing on their own time or what causes they choose to amplify. But man it would be nice to have at least once sector in our public lives that doesn't remind us of politics.

 

[TorontoGold]

I think neither will really accomplish anything. Why do our popular culture figures all have to be in the political arena? Why can't there be any aspects of our lives that are not inundated with politics? I'm not saying 'shut up and dribble'. I don't care what the athletes are doing on their own time or what causes they choose to amplify. But man it would be nice to have at least once sector in our public lives that doesn't remind us of politics.

Change won't happen if the status quo is not disturbed. Status quo is clearly not working for some people, as some of the richest and most visible people in the US, being able to use their platform to advocate for positive change should be commended - not denigrated.

They are quite literally putting their money were their mouth is.

 

[NorthDakota]

Seeing that the players have decided to resume the playoffs. Lol well that was fast.

Quite literally...saw it would cost them money and changed their minds real quick.

 

[greyhammer90]

Seeing that the players have decided to resume the playoffs. Lol well that was fast.

Quite literally...saw it would cost them money and changed their minds real quick.

Weird, the guy who is super eager to talk about how dumb they are for doing it is the same guy to say that they have no spine for not taking it further.

It's almost like...

 

[NorthDakota]

Weird, the guy who is super eager to talk about how dumb they are for doing it is the same guy to say that they have no spine for not taking it further.

It's almost like...

Its almost like...one can identify something is idiotic and then laugh at them when they realize that as well.

 

[greyhammer90]

Its almost like...one can identify something is idiotic and then laugh at them when they realize that as well.

For being idiotic they sure did get the attention they wanted without having to give up anything. Of course, I'm sure that makes you say that this means they don't actually care because they didn't make a strong enough financial sacrifice. Around and around the diminishment cycle goes. You're incredibly transparent.

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

For being idiotic they sure did get the attention they wanted without having to give up anything. Of course, I'm sure that makes you say that this means they don't actually care because they didn't make a strong enough financial sacrifice. Around and around the diminishment cycle goes. You're incredibly transparent.

Yeah it’s not much different than all the people saying they have no problems with black people protesting ... “ just not like xyz” then proceed to criticize any manner or protest they choose lol

 

[tussin]

I have no problem with NBA players expressing their right to protest, more power to them. I do wish they would wait until the full facts and motives are understood before drawing conclusions. They are role models and their admirers take what they say as fact.

 

[greyhammer90]

Yeah it’s not much different than all the people saying they have no problems with black people protesting ... “ just not like xyz” then proceed to criticize any manner or protest they choose lol

 

[NorthDakota]

Lol.

Yes, professional athletes who say "thats it, I'm not playing anymore this year" and then change their mind the next day deserve to be dunked on, no pun intended.

And if you want to make it a racial thing, I'd say the exact same thing about hockey where like 95% of the dudes look an awful lot like me but with fewer teeth...

 

[greyhammer90]

Yes, professional athletes who say "thats it, I'm not playing anymore this year" and then change their mind the next day deserve to be dunked on, no pun intended.

Well... it's a good thing that didn't happen. The Lakers and Clippers voted for the season not to continue in the meeting between all the teams, not that they wouldn't play if the season did continue.

 

[NorthDakota]

Well... it's a good thing that didn't happen. The Lakers and Clippers voted for the season not to continue in the meeting between all the teams, not that they wouldn't play if the season did continue.

Fair enough. I suppose specific language is important here. I was under the impression they declared they were done. Not that they had only voted a certain way. Right on.

Appreciate the clarity.

 

[Rogue219]

At least we got to hear about a bunch of dude that don't watch the NBA profess how they will never watch the NBA ever again.

 

[greyhammer90]

Fair enough. I suppose specific language is important here. I was under the impression they declared they were done. Not that they had only voted a certain way. Right on.

Appreciate the clarity.

And if you ask me, your confusion was definitely the intent. The way the initial tweets read made it unclear. Makes me think that it was the intent to get the NBA, TV networks, and fans sweating for the evening that they were about to lose the top 2 seeds in the West and the series everyone is most excited for, which is a pretty savvy move.

 

[calvegas04]

I have no problem with NBA players expressing their right to protest, more power to them. I do wish they would wait until the full facts and motives are understood before drawing conclusions. They are role models and their admirers take what they say as fact.

I agree, it is just going to make it worse if after the investigation they clear the cop because the guy had a knife or was going for a gun.

 

[Rack Em]

Too much?

Yes?

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

Yes?

you think?

 

[zelezo vlk]

If I'm being honest, striking for the rest of the playoffs made no sense to me, especially as it was coming from the Lakers/Lebron, who was the biggest voice pushing to resume the season.

Striking/boycotting for several games and postponing the playoffs was a reasonable response, allowing the players to flex their influence without also seeming like an overreaction. If the players were willing to play after George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and others were murdered, why would this be the breaking point?

 

[Luckylucci]

I have no problem with NBA players expressing their right to protest, more power to them. I do wish they would wait until the full facts and motives are understood before drawing conclusions. They are role models and their admirers take what they say as fact.

Agreed. And the below could be slightly controversial but the data supports it.

I'd just add that I think it's very dangerous for a figure like Lebron to talk about black people being scared of police because...

"You have no idea how that cop that day left the house," he said. "You don't know if he woke up on the good side of the bed, you don't know if he woke up on the wrong side of the bed... or maybe he just left the house saying that, 'Today is going to be the end for one of these Black people.' That's what it feels like." .

That language is extremely inflammatory. Especially when the chances of it actually happening are so insanely small it's ludicrous to act as if this is a real risk that the black population faces daily. Numbers have stayed around 250 people annually out of population of 45M gets you what, a 0.000005% chance of it happening every year. The numbers get so insanely small if you just use unarmed black people.

The information just doesn't support this being an increasing problem. In fact the information supports that the problem is getting better. Is it getting better fast enough? Probably not. But does that require this response? Also, probably not. With that said, if the NBA is taking a zero tolerance policy. That would be fantastic and I fully support it. Then, I'd expect if a police officer kills a black man in 21' under soon to be President Biden, that we cancel the season as well.

 

[Rack Em]

you think?

Jesus Cack take a breath man.

It's just the NBA.

 

[IrishLax]

Agreed. And the below could be slightly controversial but the data supports it.

I'd just add that I think it's very dangerous for a figure like Lebron to talk about black people being scared of police because...

"You have no idea how that cop that day left the house," he said. "You don't know if he woke up on the good side of the bed, you don't know if he woke up on the wrong side of the bed... or maybe he just left the house saying that, 'Today is going to be the end for one of these Black people.' That's what it feels like." .

That language is extremely inflammatory. Especially when the chances of it actually happening are so insanely small it's ludicrous to act as if this is a real risk that the black population faces daily. Numbers have stayed around 250 people annually out of population of 45M gets you what, a 0.000005% chance of it happening every year. The numbers get so insanely small if you just use unarmed black people.

The information just doesn't support this being an increasing problem. In fact the information supports that the problem is getting better. Is it getting better fast enough? Probably not. But does that require this response? Also, probably not. With that said, if the NBA is taking a zero tolerance policy. That would be fantastic and I fully support it. Then, I'd expect when a police officer kills a black man in 21' under soon to be President Biden, that we cancel the season as well.

Like you said, the problem isn't that it's increasing, it's that it's not getting better. Under Obama, the DoJ put in some common sense reforms with regard to police accountability, transparency, and civil rights. Over the last four years, we've zero emphasis from the top of the food chain on improving policing, and some of the positive changes were actually rolled back. That's the issue... these players (and much of the general population) want there to be progress and we aren't seeing any.

Moreover, it's alarming that we are seeing better policing and reductions in excessive force and/or unarmed shootings in many departments that are emphasizing deescalation, body cameras, etc. ... but still there many police departments around the country that simply choose to not even try. It's the casual disregard for progress and black lives that is driving these protests. This isn't really that complicated, and once leaders at all levels start taking things seriously and we start seeing nationwide progress there will likely be a lot less of these "escalating" protests.

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

Jesus Cack take a breath man.

It's just the NBA.

lol i'm kidding...

 

[greyhammer90]

Jesus Cack take a breath man.

It's just the NBA.

Ball is life.

 

[Luckylucci]

Like you said, the problem isn't that it's increasing, it's that it's not getting better. Under Obama, the DoJ put in some common sense reforms with regard to police accountability, transparency, and civil rights. Over the last four years, we've zero emphasis from the top of the food chain on improving policing, and some of the positive changes were actually rolled back. That's the issue... these players (and much of the general population) want there to be progress and we aren't seeing any.

Moreover, it's alarming that we are seeing better policing and reductions in excessive force and/or unarmed shootings in many departments that are emphasizing deescalation, body cameras, etc. ... but still there many police departments around the country that simply choose to not even try. It's the casual disregard for progress and black lives that is driving these protests. This isn't really that complicated, and once leaders at all levels start taking things seriously and we start seeing nationwide progress there will likely be a lot less of these "escalating" protests.

Well, I realize that the total number of police killings of black people isn't significantly lower than it was in 2015. But it is lower. However, the number of unarmed (which seems to be the most important statistic, black people getting killed for seemingly being black) black people is down significantly from 2015 . And it's went down every year since 2018 and is on pace to do so again this year. Unarmed killings are down 18-19, and 19-20. So, the data says it's getting better. But nobody wants to talk about that. And we are showing videos in the media of the 9 victims and acting as if that is happening every day. With no regard for the fact that in 2015 that number was 38. I would agree that it needs to be better. But this is the response to a problem getting better but not better fast enough? We are either politicizing a very real problem when it shouldn't be for the sake of the election or people aren't paying attention.

Had to edit numbers. 22 unarmed black people killed in 17', 23 in 18', 14 in 19', and 9 so far in 20'.

 

[ab2cmiller]

Well, I realize that the total number of police killings of black people isn't significantly lower than it was in 2015. But it is lower. However, the number of unarmed (which seems to be the most important statistic, black people getting killed for seemingly being black) black people is down significantly from 2015 . And it's went down every year since 2017 and is on pace to do so again this year. Unarmed killings are down 17-18, 18-19, and 19-20 So, the data says it's getting better. But nobody wants to talk about that. I would agree that it needs to be better. But this is the response to a problem getting better but not better fast enough? Seems like it's either completely political, which I hope not. Or people aren't paying attention.

I'm assuming that the people who don't like that stat simply dismiss it by saying the cops just plant a weapon.

 

[Rack Em]

lol i'm kidding...

Oh. It sounded like you were yelling.

Carry on, but do keep it down or I'll call the SBPD to come bust your party.

 

[NDdomer2]

Well, I realize that the total number of police killings of black people isn't significantly lower than it was in 2015. But it is lower. However, the number of unarmed (which seems to be the most important statistic, black people getting killed for seemingly being black) black people is down significantly from 2015 . And it's went down every year since 2018 and is on pace to do so again this year. Unarmed killings are down 18-19, and 19-20. So, the data says it's getting better. But nobody wants to talk about that. And we are showing videos in the media of the 9 victims and acting as if that is happening every day. With no regard for the fact that in 2015 that number was 38. I would agree that it needs to be better. But this is the response to a problem getting better but not better fast enough? We are either politicizing a very real problem when it shouldn't be for the sake of the election or people aren't paying attention.

Had to edit numbers. 22 unarmed black people killed in 17', 23 in 18', 14 in 19', and 9 so far in 20'.

According to Lorenzo Cain, "I don't see the progress. It's almost like going backwards."