Los Angeles Clippers backup ace and rapper Lou Williams has visibly made it clear he’s not on board for the NBA returning this year as it begins to look past its COVID-19 shutdown.
The outspokenness boosted Williams’ name onto Twitter’s trending topic on Saturday (June 14) amid talks the league is plotting a 22-team takeover in Orlando come July 31.
“We are fighting for a radical change,” Williams told a follower on NBA insider Taylor Rooks’ Instagram. “Sports has been a healing factor, there we agree. In this climate…it’s a distraction. I mean look at your position. You’re dying to get back in the house and drink a beer and watch us hoop opposed to being outside fighting for your equality. That’s just one aspect to look at.”
According to Rooks, the loosening of coronavirus concerns has only given greater focus to social justice reform for the dormant players — highlighted by a two-hour Zoom call where racial tensions dominated the conversation.
Kyrie Irving — Brooklyn Nets star, vice president of the NBA Players Association and host of the Zoom call — reportedly was extremely vocal in sharing Williams’ sentiment resuming play would provide nothing but a safe outlet for ignoring the broader issues of racism.
Lakers center Dwight Howard and former player Stephen Jackson, the latter who was close friends with George Floyd, are also totally against playing for the time being.
Houston Rockets guard Austin Rivers gained considerable traction with an alternate perspective on how the NBA could use their games to raise money and awareness for Black Lives Matter. He also didn’t totally knock the idea of sitting out in solidarity all the same.
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Off the court, Williams uses Hip Hop to get his point across as well. Rapping under the name “Syx” (seeing that he’s a 3-time Sixth Man of the Year and the NBA’s all-time leader in bench scoring), he lyrically eulogized his friend, former teammate and NBA legend Kobe Bryant in February via the single “24.”
The track would shortly appear on his March 2020 EP, Syx Piece.
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You know what? No doubt. Don’t come back, the knicks have been garbage for 20 years anyway its no skin off my back i have no reason to watch anymore anyway. You wanna try to hold the fans hostage for this nonsense then so be it. Hopefully people wake up and stop giving these idiots their money. All these athletes and rappers despise their fans, i for one have had enough of it. Dont come back, never play again, idgaf.
I get what lou is saying and it makes sense especially it being his own personal perspective. From my personal perspective music and sports are the biggest inspiration to kids that are growing up, especially the ones from unprivileged families, situations. In my personal opinion it’s not a distraction it’s inspiring and motivating. To say that basketball would be a distraction from the people fighting for injustice then does aren’t the ones that should be fighting. Also you can get across a your message a lot better by playing, using commercials, interviews during the games. I don’t knock the players that don’t want to play I wouldn’t be critical of the ones that sit out, but I would be critical of them if they are going to knock the ones that want to play.
Everyone want to be martyr. See how well if worked for Kaepernick. Wait…he makes more money off perceived “institutional racism.” Pretty easy to say from your ballin ass mansion, and garage full cars. Our artists and celebs are going to virtue signal to the fullest to stay relevant. Gonna be a long year…
What about the fans tho Lou??? I guess fans just don’t matter? Can you imagine if Ali took the stand that Lou is talking
about. Ali fought during the civil rights movement. He inspired more people by fighting than not fighting. Also you maybe set but their are still some of your teammates fellow league members that actually need to get paid to take care of their family. You don’t pay you don’t get paid.
I know they need to play for sure because Kyrie said they shouldn’t lol. #theearthisflat
Maybe I’m bias because I’m a big basketball fan, but if it’s a distraction now wouldn’t it be a distraction next year and the year after?
I would tell lou and howard that you will make more of a impact playing than not playing. Plus you
also gotta think about the the players coming in behind you if the nobody plays that gives team owners massive leverage
going into a bargain agreement. I would also say if you feel like you don’t want to play then don’t. But don’t get upset at the guys that want to play. Playing sports has never been a distraction it’s always been a positive outlet not just for players but for fans also. I’m def trying to see Greek Freak,Bron, Zion, Harden, Luka, AD ball, Me watching a game is not going to stop me from making a positive push in my community
People don’t think straight when they’re emotional. Lou can hoop no doubt. My issue is Dwight and Lou just dismiss
the fans that are doing what they can to change things but want to see basketball.
Sitting around complaining or even protesting isn’t going to change anything. If you really want to make a change, go play, all of the players pool their money together, and donate it. Build something for a black neighborhood. Somewhere kids can go. Do something for fatherless children. Create some type of thing for young kids to win prizes for reading books. Educate your neighborhoods. Black people have been complaining about not being equal since the 50s. Maybe the approach needs to be different. By different, I mean put your money where your mouth is. Just like Lebron did. Don’t wait around trying to change white people’s minds. Take matters into your own hands, and by that I don’t mean burn down a Wendy’s in your neighborhood. You have to help the next generation. This isn’t an overnight thing. Best thing to do would be to play basketball, and use your overpriced salary to help your communities. I also think anyone who kneels for the national anthem should be allowed to do so, only if they donate 10% of their salary to charities that help solve racial inequality in America. You’ll see how fast everyone stands up. Everyone is full of shit. Ironically, the only other athlete I’ve heard of lately who is charitable besides Lebron is Drew Brees. Just sayinG