Will Avery Bradley and Dwight Howard join LeBron James in Orlando?
Jason Reed discussed the possibility of Dwight Howard and Avery Bradley sitting out for the rest of the season. Until Thursday of next week, Lake Show Life has to deal with the possibility that these two may not play.
But let’s clear this up real quick so the discussion can go back to what matters. Both players will be in Orlando. Let’s break down what really will happen with these two players and why.
Dwight Howard:
For Howard, it’s possibly his last chance for a title. His 2009 Finals appearance fell ended in short order in a 4-1 loss to the Lakers led by the Icon Kobe Bryant. Eleven years, five teams, two contract buyouts and a basic begging contract that was non guaranteed will have him making the trip. Should we believe what he said on CNN over the weekend? Absolutely.
"“I agree with Kyrie (Irving). Basketball, or entertainment period, isn’t needed at this moment and will only be a distraction,” Howard said in an interview with CNN. “I would love nothing more than to win my very first NBA championship. But the unity of my people would be an even bigger championship.”"
Howard is looking at the bigger picture. He is prioritizing the fight for equality above the game of basketball. He’ll play because of what his teammate Avery Bradley is doing.
Avery Bradley:
The fans that are casual will say Bradley is some guy that bounced around the league the last few seasons and should be thankful for his greatest chance at an NBA championship in a number of years.
The knowledgeable fans will see that his name is at the forefront of the push to use the NBA’s return for positive change. Sure Kyrie Irving’s name has all of the headlines. Avery Bradley has a plan that will accomplish things that are bigger than basketball.
It seems the NBA will have to listen to a few demands.
Avery Bradley helped organize a Lakers-wide social media post recently: "If you ain't wit us, we ain't wit you."
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 16, 2020
The message was intended "for all those who have more financial power than us, but aren't taking a bigger stance when our community needs you," Bradley tells ESPN. https://t.co/C0bH2FJtyu
Avery Bradley is taking advantage of the timing and gravity of the debate that Kyrie started with his conference call last week. He is proposing a shifting of responsibility to the owners to support the players in this social movement just like they do when the players are on the floor.
"Bradley expressed support for NBA players wanting to use platforms in Orlando to speak on issues of systemic racism, but said his group believes those efforts would have greater impact with “our owners’ help.” “Regardless of how much media coverage will be received, talking and raising awareness about social injustice isn’t enough,” Bradley told ESPN. “Are we that self-centered to believe no one in the world is aware of racism right now? That as athletes, we solve the real issues by using our platforms to speak? “We don’t need to say more. We need to find a way to achieve more. Protesting during an anthem, wearing T-shirts is great, but we need to see real actions being put in to the works.”"
Can the owners meet Bradley’s demands? Easily.
To the ones that think politics don’t matter in sports? Go study.