NBA players who would not like to take part in the resumption of the season at the end of July at Disney World (FLoride) will have to inform their teams before June 24, reports Tuesday The Athletic, citing a directive from the union.
"It is essential that each player understands that he has the right to choose not to replay," writes NBPA to its members, to whom it has sent a document containing the health and safety protocols that they must follow. throughout their stay in Orlando. "Any player wishing to exercise this right must inform his team before June 24," said the association.
The fight against racial and social injustice also at the heart of the debates
Since the NBA announced two weeks ago the resumption of its season, the process is seen to be somewhat shaken with the emergence of a group of refractory players, who have invoked various reasons justifying not to go in Florida.
Launched by Brooklyn star Kyrie Irving, this Coalition of about 80 players notably argues that the return to competition comes after their commitment to the fight against racial and social injustice, which took a global turn after the death of George Floyd on May 26.
The resumption of the NBA "will involve enormous sacrifices", warns his boss via @ 20minutesSport https://t.co/kuSqhutQNd
- 20 Minutes Sport (@ 20minutesSport) June 16, 2020Some also fear the risks associated with coronavirus and those of injuries due to too short a preparation. Others, finally, fear being isolated and distant from their families for several weeks, even almost three months if they go to the end of the competition.
Players may forfeit whether they have health problems that put them at increased risk of Covid-19 infection or other reasons for not wanting to play. They will not be penalized, the NBA assured, but a salary reduction awaits them for each match not played.
Resume the season for a better exposure of claims?
The recovery "may not be for everyone," NBA boss Adam Silver agreed on Monday. “But the platform that this league has is huge, it is global. It affects 1.8 billion people via social networks. And we will use it to solve these social problems. "
Tuesday, the former idol of the Lakers, Magic Johnson abounded in this direction in a discussion on Twitter. “Playing basketball again is not going to stop the demonstrations, it is a worldwide movement. This can be beneficial to players due to the large exposure they will have. ”
Sport
Death of George Floyd: "Shut up and dribble" ... LeBron James responds to a presenter from Fox News
- George Floyd
- Covid 19
- Coronavirus
- NBA
- Basketball
- Sport