This is the online version of our daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Subscribe to get irreverent and incisive sports stories, delivered to your mailbox every morning.
The Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday did something no other NBA team has done before, and it was a million times more impressive and important than something that shows up in a win or a loss column.
The Bucks boycotted their playoff game with the Orlando Magic and in doing so set off a beautiful chain reaction in other leagues and sports (except the always woefully out-of-touch NHL) that brought schedules and games to a halt and put the focus on something much more important – justice for Jacob Blake and the continued focus on putting an end to police brutality and the racial injustices within our society.
It was an incredible day that started with the Bucks’ incredible decision to stay in the locker room and not play their game. Instead of taking the floor for Game 5, they got on the phone with Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul and Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes and talked about the next steps they can do for Jacob Blake, who was shot seven times last Sunday by police in Wisconsin.
LeBron James offered a powerful message after the Bucks’ decision and then reminded everyone that these games weren’t being postponed, as the leagues were selling them as, but rather they were being boycotted.
Editor’s Note: Andy wrote this last night, and since then, the Lakers and Clippers both voted to boycott the rest of the NBA season. They were the only two teams to do so, however, in a league-wide meeting, and it’s unclear how the league will move forward.
The WNBA boycotted its games, the Milwaukee Brewers boycotted its game, and the MLS boycotted all but one of its games.
Now, lots of idiots on Twitter were yelling about what do these boycotts do for anything for Blake or the various social issues being protested against. Those people on Twitter are idiots for reason – they can’t comprehend the importance of a movement by professional athletes who are doing their best to speak for those whose voices are either not being heard or not being cared enough about. They are keeping Jacob Blake’s name at the top of all conversations and they are doing their part to bring justice for a man who was shot seven times in the back. They are doing SOMETHING. Which is a lot better than doing NOTHING.
What the Bucks did on Wednesday was absolutely awe-inspiring. It lead to an emotional moment from Kenny Smith on TNT and a poignant message from Chris Webber.
Most of all, it showed just how powerful athletes and teams and professional sports can be.
The Bucks started it and should be celebrated for it.
Forever.
Quick hits: Lefty’s dominant debut… Puma needs LaMelo Ball… Angry Barcelona fans storm stadium over Messi… And more!
– Phil Mickelson played in his first Champions Tour tournament this week and really crushed those old fellas with a dominant victory.
– Mike Sykes explains why Puma needs LaMelo Ball way more than LaMelo Ball needs Puma.
– Barcelona fans are not handling the Lionel Messi news all that well.
– Julian Edelman is one of seven big-name players you should avoid this year in fantasy football.