Kyrie Irving Opposes Restarting the NBA Season Due to Stance Against Systemic Racism

Posted on June 14, 2020

Image Credit: Google Images Licensed For Reuse

Kyrie Irving has been making waves on social media with his recent comments about the potential restart of the NBA 2019-2020 season.

Kyrie Irving has emerged as a prominent figure in the pushback against resuming the NBA season. In a recent conference call involving more than 80 players from both the NBA and WNBA, Irving expressed his strong opposition to resuming the season at the Disney site. According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Irving stated, “I don’t support going into Orlando. I’m not with the systematic racism and the bulls–t. Something smells a little fishy.”

Kyrie Irving told NBA players on call Friday, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium: “I don’t support going into Orlando. I’m not with the systematic racism and the bullshit. Something smells a little fishy.”
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 13, 2020

Charania also shared Irving’s willingness to make significant sacrifices for social justice reform.

Kyrie Irving on players call Friday, per sources: “I’m willing to give up everything I have (for social reform).”
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 13, 2020

Notable players such as Donovan Mitchell, Carmelo Anthony, and Dwight Howard also raised concerns about potentially participating in the resumed season.

According to Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes, WNBA players expressed solidarity with the decisions made by NBA players.

Yahoo Sources: Players offered different perspectives with some in favor of not returning-to-play and those citing financial ramifications as a reason for a season resumption. The WNBA players spoke on their league issues and vowed to stand in unity with the NBA players.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 13, 2020