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Kenosha Shooting: Should NBA be canceled after Milwaukee Bucks boycott Game 5? Fans say 's**t has got to change'

NBA and NBPA decided to call off the games and rescheduled Game 5 of each series after the basketball team based in Milwaukee staged their walk out

In the wake of Jacob Blake shooting and protests against racial injustice across America, the NBA team Milwaukee Bucks have boycotted Game 5 of their First Round series vs the Orlando Magic on August 26 afternoon. Soon after, NBA and NBPA decided to call off the games after the basketball team based in Milwaukee staged their walk off. 

"The past four months have shed a light on the ongoing racial injustices facing our African American communities. Citizens around the country have used their voices and platforms to speak out against these wrongdoings," an official statement from the team read. "Over the last few days in our home state of Wisconsin, we’ve seen the horrendous video of Jacob Blake being shot in the back seven times by a police officer in Kenosha, and the additional shooting of protesters. Despite the overwhelming plea for change, there has been no action, so our focus today cannot be on basketball."

"When we take the court and represent Milwaukee and Wisconsin, we are expected to play at a high level, give maximum effort, and hold each other accountable. We hold ourselves to that standard, and in this moment, we are demanding the same from our lawmakers and law enforcement. "We are calling for justice for Jacob Blake and demand the officers be held accountable. For this to occur, it is imperative for the Wisconsin State Legislature to reconvene after months of inaction and take up meaningful measures to address issues of police accountability, brutality and criminal justice reform. We encourage all citizens to educate themselves, take peaceful and responsible action, and remember to vote on Nov 3."

Not just the team but owners Marc Lasry, Wes Edens and Jamie Dinan too released a statement backing their players' decision. "We fully support our players and the decision they made. Although we did not know beforehand, we would have wholeheartedly agreed with them. The only way to bring about change is to shine a light on the racial injustices that are happening in front of us. Our players have done that and we will continue to stand alongside them and demand accountability and change."

"The NBA and the NBPA today announced that in light of the Milwaukee Bucks’ decision to not take the floor today for Game 5 against the Orlando Magic, today’s three games – MIL-ORL, HOU-OKC and LAL-POR have been postponed. Game 5 of each series will be rescheduled," the official tweet from the NBA read.

Soon after, there was a huge meltdown on Twitter. "Cancel the season(s): NBA, MBA, NFL, NHL, soccer, tennis, badminton, bid whist, double-dutch. The world is ablaze. White kids are planning field trips to hunt down and kill POC. We've nurtured and grown our first U.S. dictator. We've run out of time for games," one tweet read. Another said, "As much as I don’t want the NBA season to be canceled again s**t has got to change. Shouldn’t have to live in fear of people who’s supposed to f***ing protect us." Another Twitter user said: "Would really just like the NBA to cancel the season altogether. One thing about sportttttsssssss and this country whewww."

Political correspondent DeAnna Lorraine wrote, "The NBA and NBPA just announced that they will be postponing games now. Due to 'Social Justice issues.' So first it was no playing 'due to Coronavirus.' Now its Social Justice issues. This aint about a virus. Or Social Justice. Its about RESTRUCTURING SOCIETY. WAKE UP."

Meanwhile, several others weren't too happy with the decision and couldn't help but post sarcastic jibes at them. "I hope they cancel the NBA season. Since these NBA players are so f***ing woke hold they're f***ing feet to the fire and boycott until 'change' happens. I'm tired of all these bull s**t either come heavy or don't come at all. PROTEST OR PLAY STOP DOING BOTH." Another tweet read: "I do not think the NBA should cancel the season. Most of us watch Basketball because we love the sport and it brings us all together. Now, more than ever, that unity is needed. The NBA is also a very vocal supporter of BLM, why not finish the season and donate the $ to charities?"

One Twitter user went on to post: "So now the NBA is judge and jury (even though they said cops aren't judge and jury) and cancels games? Will they arbitrarily cancel other games? A bad car crash, a bus accident?"

While there is much debate on Twitter around the NBA statement, the big question remains: Is canceling the games a solution? Well, only time will tell if this stance can bring about a change in America.