It is pretty clear that many members of the Toronto Raptors are really disturbed about the recent shooting of Jacob Blake that occurred in Kenosha, Wisconsin. They are disgusted with this latest case of police brutality and they feel it is time to take a stand. The Raptors have talked with head coach Nick Nurse about a possible boycott of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Boston Celtics.
Nick Nurse and his team will meet to potentially discuss the possibility of a boycott and will hoping to come to a decision.
Nurse talked about this potential meeting as a guest on the ESPN morning show “KeyShawn, JWill & Zubin. Raptors point guard Fred Van Vleet informed reporters that the team was considering several ways to go in terms of a response to the shooting. However, he did say that one of the options may include a boycott of Game 1 against the Celtics on Thursday Night.
Van Vleet feels that the time for talking and discussing about changing this issue is done. He dosen’t feel that media discussion on this issue is enough to get the job done. He feels that it is time to really take a stand on this issue even if it means not playing a game. In his mind, its time to put something on the line.
Kyle Lowry elaborated that his team was considering all alternatives with regards to this issue.
It is clear that Celtics players may be on board with this as well. Celtics guard Marcus Smart believes that more has to be done than kneeling during the anthem and peaceful protests. He also believes that more measures may have to be done than playing a game right now.
The issue at the center of this potential boycott is the shooting of Jacob Blake. Jacob Blake was shot in the back seven times by police. According to reports, he is apparently paralyzed and may never be able to walk ever again. Apparently, the bullets damaged his spinal cord and shattered parts of his vertebrae.
The gunshot wounds also did damage to his kidney and his liver.
According to video that has been shared through social media, Jacob Blake was seen walking aw from police officers who has drawn their rifles. Blake was entering his SUV through the side door. A police officer was seen grabbing the back of Jacob Blake’s shirt. He proceeded to shoot Blake seven times in the back. Jacob Blake’s three children witnessed this incident from the back of their SUV.
The shooting of Jacob Blake has many NBA players very furious. Lebron James expressed his frustration, anguish and fear to reporters on Monday night. George Hill’s comments on the situation on Monday were particularly striking. George Hill believed it was a mistake for the NBA to restart the regular season due to the fact that it took away from the movement that was going on in the country since the killing of George Floyd months ago.
This issue has hit home personally for the Toronto Raptors recently. Raptors president Masai Ujiri was recently sued by an Aladema County sheriff. He alleged that Masai Ujiri attacked him. Last week, video footage was released with regards to this incident. It turns out Masai Ujiri was attempting to show proper identification when the police officer grabbed him by his suit jacket. Thus, Ujiri did not touch the police officer.
According to Nick Nurse, the Masai Ujiri incident has definitely played a role in the team’s reaction regarding the shooting of Jacob Blake.
