Paul Garcia: Pop says if Dr. King were here today, he thinks he would both be sad & proud. Sad seeing “the savage attacks on black bodies that have not stopped” & white supremacists storming the Capitol. Proud in how the country persevered the last 4 years & flipped Georgia, elected Biden.
NBA Rumor: US Capitol Assault
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There were at least two reports out there suggesting that Irving’s reason had something to do with the terror in Washington from Wednesday. A reporter for Heavy.com, citing a source close to Kyrie, said the explanation was “I just didn’t want to play.” “I don’t believe that to be the case,” Nash said.
LeBron James: 'We live in two Americas'
James then stood up and left. He spoke for 11 minutes, only about the state of the world and nothing about the Lakers’ game. James was agitated and concerned about the state of the country. “We live in two Americas,” James said. “If you don’t understand that or see that after seeing what you saw yesterday, you really need to take a step back. Not even just one step. Maybe four or five or even ten steps backwards.”
As he watched the news on television, it did not just bother Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James that Donald Trump supporters rioted inside and outside the Capitol building. James was also upset by how law enforcement responded much differently to those rioters compared to the last summer’s Black Lives Matter protests. “I couldn’t help but to wonder if those were my kind storming the Capitol, what would’ve been the outcome? I think we all know,” James said following the Lakers’ loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday. “It’s no ifs, ands or buts. We already know what would’ve happened to my kind if anyone had gotten close to the Capitol, let alone storm inside the offices and inside the hallways.”
James found parallels between the pro-Trump rioters and the KKK, which is considered a terrorist hate group. “The KKK and the rags over their faces, now they’re just hiding under certain other costumes,” James said. “They’re going under other costumes that you saw yesterday in the Capitol. You can’t sit here and say that those aren’t terrorists. We keep saying they aren’t protestors. They’re not protestors. What are they protesting? Knocking down walls, knocking down the gates of the nation’s Capitol?”
Ryan Ward: LeBron James shares his thoughts on Donald Trump: “The events that took place yesterday was a direct correlation of the President that is in the seat right now of his actions, his beliefs, his wishes. He cares about nobody besides himself. Nobody. Absolutely nobody…”
Mark Medina: LeBron James on the DC riots: “I couldn’t help but wonder, if it was my kind storming the Capitol, what would have happened. I think we already know.”
Tom Orsborn: DeMar DeRozan: “If yesterday wasn’t evident of what we have been going through for years and years, I don’t know how else to put it. It’s a perfect description of what it’s like to be Black or Brown in this country. Yesterday showed showed it.”
Forward Gordon Hayward, who poured in a career-high 44 points in helping Charlotte to a win over Atlanta, only became aware of the events after arriving at the arena in the event. With his normal pre-game routine keeping him away from the television and the news, Hayward took in as much as he could before tip-off. “It’s a bizarre world that we’re living in,” Hayward said. “I saw a little bit of it before the game and certainly it’s shocking and disappointing. “I think basketball is is a place where we can kind of get away from that a little bit and hopefully provide some hope and some joy for some fans. But certainly, it’s also just a game and there are a lot of bigger things that are going on out there in the world. After I kind of calm down in a little bit, I’ll be able to go and kind of see exactly what happened but like I said, I haven’t really had too much of a chance but certainly I’m disappointed.”
LeBron James on D.C. protests: Do you understand now?
Heat-Wizards game in Washington D.C. scheduled to go on
Joe Mullinax: Tyus on maintaining a normal focus tonight in yesterday’s events: “It’s tough, because basketball is not where our focus was. How can it be? Basketball is just a game.” Also said there’s a lot of wrong going on in our country, and it’s their job to make a difference in this world
Joe Mullinax: Tyus Jones is up next. He was asked abt yesterday’s events & if the team’s discussed it. “You wanna say it’s unreal or unbelievable, but a lot of us aren’t surprised.” The team has talked about the different standards in this country & using platform for change
Jae Crowder: TWO DIFFERENT AMERICAS…. RIGHT IN OUR FACE.!
Kyle Lowry calls Donald Trump 'a criminal'
Michael Grange: “That man is a criminal, he should be charged, he told them to do it and somebody died … it’s crazy” — Kyle Lowry on Donald Trump.
Ohm Youngmisuk: Paul George: “I would have been all for the league to shut down. I think this is something that definitely should have been addressed but there’s a fine line because it does give people some positivity to watch games…but I definitely would have been all for [NBA] shutting down”
Malika Andrews: Clippers Marcus Morris on Warriors and Clippers kneeling during the National Anthem: “My personal opinion: that wasn’t enough. I thought we shouldn’t have played.” Morris noted the two teams never discussed not playing, but felt that some things take precedence over basketball.
Clutch Points: “They’re not f**king protestors. They’re f**king terrorists.” Draymond Green rips those who involved in Capitol riots 😳🔥 pic.twitter.com/9IkJbFxRS2
Connor Letourneau: Draymond Green on what happened at the U.S. capitol: “It just goes to show you where this country is, where it always has been, and where it’s probably going to stay, to be quite honest.”
Gerald Bourguet: “Nobody ever leaves the arena with their uniform on. I leave the arena every game as just a Black man.” Chris Paul says they will continue to work together to figure things out
“It was just a bizarre scene, but it was a pretty clear reminder that the truth matters,” Kerr said. “We’ve been talking about this for years. The truth matters in our country and anywhere and in any circumstance, because of the repercussions if we allow lies to spread and if we enable people in power to lie. All of a sudden you have millions of people who are doubting an election that was certified in every state. We had 7 or 8 million more people vote for Biden than for Trump. Every state has certified those results. Every court appeal has been turned down. A legitimate election is suddenly questioned by millions of people, including many of the people who are leading our country in government, because we’ve decided over the past few years to allow lies to be told.
However, not all in the basketball world are on one side and that goes for former players as well. One of them could be seen among the protesters as well. David Wood, who never hid his support of Trump, was present and even broadcasted the whole ordeal online. Wood, 56, played professionally for two decades including stints with nine NBA teams as well as several European clubs. Among them, mostly Spanish teams: Barça, Baskonia, Unicaja, Murcia, Gran Canaria, and Fuenlabrada.
“It’s very emotional,” Beal said. “It’s very disheartening in a lot of ways, because just the lack of sense of urgency there was to respond to what was going on versus protestors and Black Lives Matter over the summer. That was a direct standout from all over the world. Everybody addressed the same issue, I retweeted something Trump tweeted a few months ago, literally about the people who vandalize or disrespect any piece of federal property in Portland and around the U.S. Those people would face a minimum of 10 years in prison. So we’ll see if he has his foot in his mouth or that is something he really, truly stands for. Because of the people who were invading our capital … they invaded the capitol. It’s unheard of.
John Wall played in Washington D.C. for nine years and he’d never seen anything like what happened Wednesday just blocks from his former arena. “Can’t believe it, at a loss for words with it,” Wall said, following the Rockets’ loss to the Pacers. “Most important thing we can do is stand up for what we stand for, believe in it and stand behind it.”
Jay King: Jaylen Brown plans to continue using his platform: “America is built on a lot of racism. That’s the foundation. … we want the next generation to know where we stand. We want the next generation to know hopefully it’s better than this one.”
Tyrese Haliburton: Why don’t you tell us?
Eric Woodyard: Reigning 2-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo shares his perception of America after seeing so many recent negative incidents targeting Black people. “My kid is black. And I can not imagine my kid going through what I see and what I see on the TV,” he said. See full comment below. pic.twitter.com/052sNNvBfG
Eric Walden: Jordan Clarkson, on how today’s Capitol invaders were treated, as opposed to summer BLM protestors: “People see the difference; they saw what people did today and how there were no consequences for them. On the other side, it would have … ended in multiple arrests and deaths.”
J. Michael Falgoust: . @Malcolm Brogdon on today’s events in DC: “If these were black people that were storming the Capitol, it would end up the largest massacre in U.S. history. … It’s white privilege. We’ve got to call a spade a spade. It’s disgusting.” #Pacers
Kyle Neubeck: Rivers once again on Capitol incidents today: “When black people in the past have protested, they called them looters and rioters, today they called them protestors. And then it changed…hopefully this is the first step to healing in this country.”
Rob Schaefer: Billy Donovan, on the events in DC today: “Obviously I think it just goes to show that we have still a long way to go as a country… I thought the players in the bubble did a really, really good job just bringing awareness to a lot of the social injustice issues that we need…
Mirjam Swanson: Ty Lue: “It’s just a sad day, no one wants to be part of it. “Saddest thing for me, talking to our players — they’re not shocked. That’s messed up. “… I’m tired of all the damn talking about it.”
Jason Anderson: Kings coach Luke Walton: “It’s a sad day for our country and I think it continues to be one of those things where we need to look to be united and come together, support each other, much more than we’ve shown.”
Josh Lewenberg: Nick Nurse on today’s riots in D.C.: “Obviously really disturbing. Disturbing, disgusting, incredulous, sad. I think it’s sad. It just seems to not stop and it just seems to not improve. That’s pretty much my thoughts on it.”
Eric Koreen: “Even though we’ve heard this kind of thing could happen, there’s still confusion and sadness,” says Suns coach Monty Williams. “I find it hard to figure out things that help a situation like that. I don’t know how to be a part of that solution.”
Ryan Smith: We are witnessing an attack on our democracy. Peaceful transitions of power are fundamental to who we are as a country. Lies and division have consequences. We need to come together as a nation immediately to restore basic values and decency in order to move forward. Together.
Michele Roberts outraged by double standard after US Capitol assault
National Basketball Players Association executive director Michele Roberts expressed outrage over the mob that stormed the United States Capitol Building in Washington on Wednesday and how it reflected on racial double-standards in America.
“Today started yesterday, when the Jacob Blake shooting was being justified, although I’m not sure there was a single human surprised at that finding,” Roberts told ESPN on Wednesday. “Every single player that contacted me — or that I contacted — saw the same connection to the Blake shooting being justified. We were watching these people essentially committing treason at the Capitol and I have yet to hear about a single shot being fired.”
Omari Sanfoka II: Dwane Casey: “As a father and husband and human being, the situation that happened at the Capitol and seeing our house, the people’s house be overtaken, basically … it was malicious, it was dangerous, it was a huge attack on our democracy. That is concerning.”
Omari Sanfoka II: Dwane Casey: “For our country to be in a situation where it’s being attacked, politicians are running for cover … it’s a sad day for our country and we can do better.”
Michael C. Wright: OKC coach Mark Daigneault on today’s developments: “We are gonna keep those kinds of conversations inside our locker room. Obviously, it’s appalling and pretty surreal.”
Rod Boone: James Borrego on today’s events: “The pain, the hurt in this country right now, it’s real. … It’s disheartening. It’s disappointing, it’s embarrassing for our country to be at this point. It’s not the country I want my kids to inherit and it’s extremely sad.”
Eric Walden: Quin: “It’s hard to have any preparation. … It’s something we had a chance to discuss. … It’s hard to concentrate. It’s important for us all to collectively acknowledge what’s going on.”
Rod Boone: James Borrego said although they are professionals, it’s tough to play a game tonight in the wake of what’s going on in Washington. Also said it’s difficult to not be with his family on days like this. “This is bigger than basketball,” he said.
Kelsey Russo: #Cavs J.B. Bickerstaff when asked about today’s events at the Capitol: “I spent a lot of the afternoon watching and listening. It’s saddening. It’s disgusting, to be honest with you.”
Chris Grenham: Brad Stevens: “We elected a President, who luckily is on his way out, and others, that have not shown that kind of grace. It’s been consistent.”
Tim Reynolds: Celtics coach Brad Stevens: “My reaction is sad. … I’m looking forward to two weeks from now, as I know a lot of other people are, too.”
Tim Reynolds: The Celtics talked as a team about the Jacob Blake case today. “It’s been a heavy 24 hours, 48 hours,” Brad Stevens said. Neither the Celtics nor the Heat have formally discussed any actions or protests for tonight.
Josh Robbins: Magic coach Steve Clifford when asked about the events in Washington: “We can disagree about policies or about the way the country should be run. But there’s no place in our country for what’s going on right now. That’s not a protest. They’ve gone way over the line. It’s sad. Our country, we’re being laughed at all over the world from the way we’ve handled the pandemic to this. It’s a sad day for everybody.”
Ira Winderman: Erik Spoelstra, on today in D.C., “It’s really disturbing images. We’ve all been talking about it really last couple of hours. It’s really disturbing.”
Mark Medina: Hawks coach Lloyd Pierce on today’s riots in D.C.: “It’s not unexpected. It’s tragic in nature. It’s a sad reality. It’s unfortunate this is what we’re looking at in our county after the year we’ve been through, but it’s not unexpected.”
Mike Vorkunov: Tom Thibodeau on the insurrection at the Capitol: “It’s shocking. Disappointing. I haven’t had an opportunity to speak to the team yet.. As Americans you want everyone to be safe. We can debate things & do all that but once there is violence involved it’s not good for anybody.”
No discussions between league, players on postponing games
Adrian Wojnarowski: After the rioting and attack on democracy in Washington today, there’s been no formal discussion between the NBA and NBPA on postponing any of the league’s 11 games tonight, sources tell ESPN. The Washington Wizards are set to play the 76ers in Philadelphia.
Quinton Mayo: Scott Brooks on the DC riots: “It’s disgusting, unacceptable and should not be allowed. It’s embarrassing and should never have happened”
Jeff Zillgitt: “It’s pretty disturbing. Sad,” Sixers coach Doc Rivers on today’s event at the U.S. Capitol. He also continued and said, “Democracy will prevail.”
Derek Bodner: Doc Rivers: “Could you imagine, today, if those were all black people storming the Capitol? And what would have happened?”
J. Michael Falgoust: Bjorkgren on unrest in DC and the team’s mood: “Our guys want to play” #PacersRockets
Jamal Crawford: Whole different energy for BLM though… 🤷🏾♂️
Jamal Murray: 2021 feel like the second half of 2020 already
Ty Jerome: Ahhhhhh , they’re showing us the right way to protest today. 📝 pic.twitter.com/Delu62qQwU
Tre Jones: This is sad
Trae Young on D.C. protests: This is crazy
Trae Young: This crazy right now...
February 28, 2021 | 6:15 am EST Update
Kevin Love unlikely to return before All-Star break
Cleveland Cavaliers power forward Kevin Love is on this quick two-game trip with his teammates so he can continue to rehab a high-grade strained right calf, but the five-time All-Star is “unlikely” to return until after the NBA All-Star break, league sources tell cleveland.com.
Given the Cavs only have two games remaining — Monday in Houston and Wednesday at home against the Indiana Pacers — before a needed nine-day break, sources said the team doesn’t see the upside in pushing it. They want to use the extra days to get his calf better, so he can be 100 percent for the Second Half.
Kevin Durant to still serve as All-Star captain
The Brooklyn Nets’ Kevin Durant will still serve as an NBA All-Star Game captain despite a hamstring injury that will keep him from playing. Durant and fellow All-Star Game captain LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers will each draft a roster out of the pool of selected All-Stars. The All-Star draft will air on TNT on March 4. It remained unclear whether Durant will travel to Atlanta for the game on March 7.
A Knicks official said Rivers was at the Garden, but in the back getting treatment for a sore ankle. Rivers was not listed on the pregame injury report submitted to the NBA. On the box score, Rivers was listed with a DNP-Coach’s Decision. Earlier this week, Rivers said of his situation: “I can’t control if I’m traded today, tomorrow or the next day. What I can control is how I am as a player.’’
His father, Mychal Thompson, believes Klay’s basketball lifespan could run until he’s 40 years old. “I said, if you really want to, you can play till you’re 40 years of age, but the key to that is you have to take care of your body, as you go into your 30s,” Mychal said, recounting to NBC Sports Bay Area a conversation he had with Klay.
That doesn’t mean he’s a finished product. There’s a reason the Raptors signed him with G League intentions and not for the NBA roster. The 10-day contract (about $82,000) affords them six games to see how he can fit and progress in their environment. It’s an audition by another name, and not the first time the Raptors have used a 10-day to get a 905 look at a prospect. “This gives us a chance to get Donta down in our system, teach him our ins and outs and the way we operate our offence, our defence, our schemes, and see how he looks running those,” general manager Chad Sanders said. “With Tampa just down the street, it’s a chance for us to get him out there and get some reps and get a chance to evaluate him for the big club.”
Luka Doncic: 'A long time before you can compare me to Larry Bird'
Callie Caplan: Luka, on ABC, asked about recent comparisons to Larry Bird’s game: “More, more games to go. A long time before you can compare me to Larry Bird. I just want to keep hooping, have fun playing basketball.”
