LeBron James responded to President Trump’s comments about NBA players kneeling for the National Anthem.
The NBA was officially welcomed back by the sports world on Thursday, July 30, live from Orlando, Florida at the NBA bubble at Disney World. Twenty-two teams joined the bubble, all with two goals in mind: raise awareness for social justice first and win an NBA Championship second. LeBron James has been at the forefront of these efforts.
Raising awareness for social justice has been at the top M.O. for the league since returning to action. The NBA is allowing players to wear various different approved messages on the back of their jerseys in place of their surnames and at center court has painted the words “Black Lives Matter”.
The league announced on Wednesday that team owners will contribute $300 million over the next 10 years to “establish a charitable foundation dedicated to economic empowerment in the Black community” (h/t VOA news).
Before every game, during the singing of the National Anthem, teams have been kneeling as a collective unit with their arms locked together in solitude. After the first game back, LeBron James commented that he hoped that he made Colin Kaepernick, who started the movement of kneeling for the National Anthem, proud.
All players, coaches and refs take a knee and lock arms during the national anthem before the Lakers-Clippers game. pic.twitter.com/eZ9RHE3eh7
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 31, 2020
This action got the eyes of President Donald Trump. The president called the act of kneeling during the National Anthem “disgraceful” and said that he just turns off the game and has no interest in watching it (h/t Yahoo).
LeBron James, who is not only the face of basketball but is the most recognizable and influential athlete in the United States, responded to Trump’s comments after the Los Angeles Lakers’ loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night.
LeBron told reporters that he does not think the basketball community is sad about losing President Trump’s viewership. He did not comment any further on the matter.
How LeBron James has recently raised awareness to social justice.
LeBron James recently launched the More Than A Vote initiative to help raise voting awareness among Black communities, working with both Republicans and Democrats alike.
James also launched the I Promise School in his hometown of Akron, Ohio, in 2018, which is aimed towards at-risk children to help give them a better education experience and more resources.
At the time of writing this, President Trump has not responded to LeBron James’ comments.