When Kyrie Irving opened the door for more players’ voices to be heard regarding the resumption of the 2019-20 season at Disney World in Orlando, some aligned themselves with the Brooklyn Nets point guard’s belief that basketball should not be played yet.
But not everyone has agreed with Irving’s line of thinking, although they do understand his concern regarding the Black Lives Matter movement. Fellow Brooklyn Net Garrett Temple, for instance, thinks continuing the season would be helpful. Austin Rivers took to Instagram to express why he wants to resume play:
Us coming back would be putting money in all our pockets. With this money, you could help out even more people and continue to give, more importantly, your time and energy towards the BLM [Black Lives Matter] movement. Which I’m 100% on board with. …
I love Kyrie’s passion towards helping this movement. I’m with it… but in the right way, and not at the cost of the whole NBA and players’ careers. We can do both. We can play, and we can help change the way black lives are lived. … Canceling or boycotting a return doesn’t do that, in my opinion. Guys want to play and provide and help change!
In addition to Temple and Rivers, Irving’s former teammate and current Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James James wants to continue the season, per Sam Amick of The Athletic:
Because sources say James, whose Lakers have as good a chance at the title as any of the 22 teams invited to Walt Disney World, believes playing in Orlando won’t deter his ability to continue inspiring change.
And James’ comments to the New York Times indicate he is invested in the Black Lives Matter movement, like Irving:
Because of everything that’s going on, people are finally starting to listen to us. We feel like we’re finally getting a foot in the door. How long is up to us. We don’t know. But we feel like we’re getting some ears and some attention, and this is the time for us to finally make a difference.
One important detail to remember as this discussion continues to take shape: the comments from Irving that Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports reported.
If it’s worth the risk, then let’s go and do it But if you’re not with it, it’s OK, too. We’ve got options for both ways. Let’s just come to a middle ground as a family.
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