Former President Barack Obama praised the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks for “setting an example” for the country after boycotting the team’s playoff game.
“I commend the players on the [Milwaukee Bucks] for standing up for what they believe in, coaches like [Doc Rivers], and the NBA and WNBA for setting an example,” Obama tweeted Wednesday.
“It’s going to take all our institutions to stand up for our values.”
[Related: Jared Kushner: NBA players ‘very fortunate’ they can ‘take a night off from work’]
I commend the players on the @Bucks for standing up for what they believe in, coaches like @DocRivers, and the @NBA and @WNBA for setting an example. It’s going to take all our institutions to stand up for our values. pic.twitter.com/rUGETgAt7P
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 27, 2020
Milwaukee Bucks players were slated to face off against the Orlando Magic in a playoff game Wednesday night. Players for the Bucks never made it to the court, boycotting the game following the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha.
“Some things are bigger than basketball. The stand taken today by the players and org shows that we’re fed up. Enough is enough. Change needs to happen. I’m incredibly proud of our guys and we stand 100% behind our players ready to assist and bring about real change,” Alex Lasry, the owner of the Bucks, said on social media.
The NBA subsequently postponed three games that were scheduled for Wednesday night.
“F— THIS MAN!!!! WE DEMAND CHANGE. SICK OF IT,” Lakers superstar LeBron James tweeted moments before the NBA’s announcement.
Blake was shot seven times in the back in Kenosha on Sunday during an arrest when he reached into an SUV, where he reportedly had a knife. He was left paralyzed from the waist down due to the injuries, according to his father.
Riots, looting, and arson have spread in the city following the shooting, which also resulted in the deaths of two people.
