NEWSLETTER
After teams scheduled to play on Wednesday decided to boycott their respective games, the NBPA organized a players meeting inside the Orlando Bubble.
In what appeared to be an over two-hour-long meeting, players and coaches discussed how to proceed. The main question that needed to be answered: Should the 2019-20 NBA season continue?
As one source in meeting said, "We're trying to figure out how to take action." https://t.co/BasFmNl4V7
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 27, 2020
Eventually, coaches reportedly left the ballroom where the meeting was held, and the players took full control. Tensions were reportedly high as the conversation centered around how to take action. A vote of some sort on whether or not to boycott the rest of the playoffs took place, and all teams except two decided to play-on: the Clippers and Lakers.
Sources: The Lakers and Clippers have voted to boycott the NBA season. Most other teams voted to continue. LeBron James has exited the meeting.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 27, 2020
Sources: Miami's Udonis Haslem spoke and essentially told everyone in room that — without Lakers and Clippers, how will season continue?
LeBron James walked out. Rest of Lakers and Clippers exited behind him.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 27, 2020
Wow.
If both LA teams do not want to continue the season, it’s hard to imagine we see any more basketball this year. The NBA can not justify a continued season without either of these two teams in the mix. Not to mention, LeBron James has one of the loudest voices in the NBA, and if he doesn’t want to take the court, it’s only a matter of time before more players follow suit.
Now, for what it’s worth, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski tweeted a less concrete report shortly after Sham Charania’s. According to him, the Lakers and Clippers only voted on “perhaps” ending the season and the “polling” that took place wasn’t at all considered a final vote.
The Clippers and Lakers voting on perhaps not continuing with the season was considered more of a polling, than a final vote, sources tell ESPN. The resumption of the playoffs remains still up in the air.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 27, 2020
Still, the meeting reportedly ended “ugly,” and it appears everyone involved needs more time to figure out what comes next (which is totally understandable).
Told the players’ meeting ended "ugly," per a source, with uncertainty about what will happen tomorrow. The union will be present at the special Board of Governors meeting, per a source.
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) August 27, 2020
Discussions on continuing season will extend into tomorrow, sources tell ESPN, but appears unlikely the three playoff games on Thursday will be played. "Everyone is still too emotional," one high-ranking source tells ESPN. "There needs to be more time to come together on this."
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 27, 2020
ESPN Sources: Among themes in meeting: NBPA explained financial implications of ending season, including possible lockout next year. Chris Paul on leaving meeting unified; CJ McCollum on needing a plan of action. Doc Rivers on using platform, voting, holding police accountable.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 27, 2020
I have a lot of questions, and I bet you do too. I’m not sure what to expect over the next couple of days, but at least we should get more clarity when the Board of Governors and NBPA meet tomorrow morning. If one thing is for sure, the players need to be presented with a more certain plan moving forward. Clearly, the majority of those within the bubble do not feel as though the NBA is doing enough to help the social justice movement across the country. The goal is to spread even more awareness – something that the boycotts certainly did today.
What an historic day in sports. We’ll keep you updated.
