Milwaukee Bucks 2019 - 20 Season Thread

[homer]

Technically I think this is a strike not a boycott

[nate82]

If they are really about making a difference I guess they will leave their high paying salaries behind? We all know this is not going to happen so this is just virtue signaling if they were truly bothered by this then they should have just cancelled their season before even playing a game. This is just virtue signaling.

[owbc]

If they are really about making a difference I guess they will leave their high paying salaries behind? We all know this is not going to happen so this is just virtue signaling if they were truly bothered by this then they should have just cancelled their season before even playing a game. This is just virtue signaling.

 

No it isn't, they broke their contract. It's a big deal.

 

[lcbj68c]

Technically I think this is a strike not a boycott

 

While I agree, that a work stoppage is coming and they will all probably go home tomorrow, their issue and problem isn't with ownership. At least, I dont think. I don't think they are upset with the league or team owners for gathering them up in the bubble in these circumstances. I truly think they are conflicted about "going to work" or trying to ACT on change in their communities. The problem in calling that a strike however, it's my pessimistic nature to think that they'll never go back to work as society is never going to meet them in the middle to resolve the strike. I don't know that NBA players CAN defeat systemic racism. I'd like to think that we get better with each passing generation, but if they are waiting on every police officer to act prudently in every situation, they'll be holding their breath for the rest of their lives. I applaud them, but it is frustrating that no end game is seemingly in sight.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

If they are really about making a difference I guess they will leave their high paying salaries behind? We all know this is not going to happen so this is just virtue signaling if they were truly bothered by this then they should have just cancelled their season before even playing a game. This is just virtue signaling.

 

1. How would leaving their salaries behind 'make a difference'? How is that at all relevant?

 

2. You're the second person to suggest cancelling the season months ago and it makes no sense. The trigger for this was last weekend.

 

3. We've seen what happens when athletes take a position on this issue, I don't know why some are asking like this is the first time they've reacted to it, and it's generally not favorable for them to do so. They have done kneeling, arm locking, shirts, jersey names etc., and remain unsatisfied with the results. So an escalation of things seems logical to me.

 

This is without me even taking a position on what they're doing. But questioning their motives strikes me as very odd. I don't doubt that they think they're doing the morally right thing.

[FVBrewerFan]

Does Giannis still get DPOY if the season isn't even completed?

[Fear The Chorizo]

While I appreciate the players' desire to find some way to take a stand, the "take my ball and go home" approach doesn't solve anything and likely reduces the gravity of their platform's influence across many of the same demographics they'd hope to impact in a positive way.

 

I find myself conflicted in that part of me wants to give the players kudos for taking measures that directly impact their workplace/livelihoods in order to draw attention to this cause, which at its root is entirely just but is all too easily corrupted by today's political discord...

 

But then the other part of me asks what the endgame is with this sort of boycott that is centered around "demanding change", but doesn't really have a sense of what that change needs to be - and the beef obviously isn't with league ownership or the front office, so the direct impact of not playing winds up hurting the league (including the players) much more acutely than influencing society to change course. Unless they and the rest of the NBA players are willing to quit on this season and NBA indefinitely and lay out some sort of guidance for things that need to happen in order for them to return to the court, this seems like a blip that will be glossed over 1 week from now when playoff games are still happening and just wind up expanding various divides between us all until the next incident further fans these flames.

[wallus]

Holy crap there are some poor takes in this thread. Good on the Bucks for doing this if they feel it is right. There are much bigger things than basketball.

[Boomer5]

Cough China Cough

 

Sports and politics don’t mesh well. I agree with others that they might as well cancel the season.

[jjfanec]

If they are really about making a difference I guess they will leave their high paying salaries behind? We all know this is not going to happen so this is just virtue signaling if they were truly bothered by this then they should have just cancelled their season before even playing a game. This is just virtue signaling.

 

Virtual signaling - the action or practice of publicly expressing opinions or sentiments intended to demonstrate one's good character or the moral correctness of one's position on a particular issue.

 

How on earth is that what they are doing? This isn't a company just posting black lives matter because everyone else is. This guys have been speaking out and feel like this is using their platform to say something is more serious than basketball. You can disagree but to call it virtual signaling is misunderstanding a term and misrepresenting the players

 

I do agree with fear the choizo in wondering what the end game is. I will wait to hear what they have to say.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

Holy crap there are some poor takes in this thread. Good on the Bucks for doing this if they feel it is right. There are much bigger things than basketball.

 

Yeah, yikes. I have a high opinion of this place and consider to be well advanced relative to other more popular boards I'm on, but yikes.

[owbc]

The quote I'm seeing going around is that "sports are like a reward for a functioning society" which I think is apropos for this moment.

 

I think that a couple arrests in some of the higher-profile cases might be an appropriate endgame. Which would at least give the appearance that the criminal justice system is functioning.

[Cool Hand Lucroy]

The quote I'm seeing going around is that "sports are like a reward for a functioning society" which I think is apropos for this moment.

 

 

This is a powerful way of thinking about things. Thanks.

[jjfanec]

The quote I'm seeing going around is that "sports are like a reward for a functioning society" which I think is apropos for this moment.

 

I think that a couple arrests in some of the higher-profile cases might be an appropriate endgame. Which would at least give the appearance that the criminal justice system is functioning.

 

That would make sense as an endgame.

[FVBrewerFan]

It would make sense, but sense has nothing to do with it. The cops involved in the Floyd case were arrested quickly, and that didn't stop the carnage. If we could all have a reasoned discussion about policing reform as a priority, it would get done. But this is about so many more things than improving policing.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

It would make sense, but sense has nothing to do with it. The cops involved in the Floyd case were arrested quickly, and that didn't stop the carnage. If we could all have a reasoned discussion about policing reform as a priority, it would get done. But this is about so many more things than improving policing.

 

I don't think that's entirely true. One of the triggers of the Floyd thing was the lag between what looked like an egregious offense and formal charges. It took several days. There was a debate about the legitimacy of that timing with some saying it was crucial the bring proper charges, but I also read legal professionals claiming that was baloney. So the lack of a quick arrest was one of the triggers. I get your point though. I'm sure if they had been arrested right away it still would have been huge. It's a horrible video.

[jjfanec]

For people talking about how this wont accomplish any change maybe you are right but the Bucks players are not simply skipping a game. They have had conversations with the state attorney general and lt governor about how they can be more involved in the conversation. They have asked how they can help promote legislation and be a part of a solution at all levels. You may disagree with the stance they are taking but they exploring ways to use their platform for more than just awareness (which in and of itself is already a powerful thing).

 

A couple other arguments that dont really hold up

1. This is their job, they should not protest at their workplace. Their employers are supporting them so this argument is not valid.

2. Sports are supposed to be entertainment not politics. These men (and women in other leagues) are more than just athletes. They have other opinions and just because you do not like them does not meant they cannot express them. There is a side of this debate that cannot stand when athletes talk politics but have no problem with them talking about their faith or other things. Let them be whole people. Their life is not about entertaining you. And again their bosses seem ok with them speaking out

3. They are losing me as a fan or fans in general. Even if that is true it is a statement not a real argument. Actually it may give them more respect because they are willing to be financially hindered to voice their thoughts. There are local businesses in my community who have Trump 2020 posters up. They probably lose some business for that and they might gain other business but either way it does not invalidate what they are speaking on.

[Mr Southpaw]

Technically I think this is a strike not a boycott

 

I think you are right. But they are not striking against their employers. Can anyone answer who they are striking against? I am guessing the criminal justice system?

[homer]

Technically I think this is a strike not a boycott

 

I think you are right. But they are not striking against their employers. Can anyone answer who they are striking against? I am guessing the criminal justice system?

 

It's a wildcat strike. They walked off the job. But they aren't protesting the job they are protesting something else.

[thebruce44]

Technically I think this is a strike not a boycott

 

I think you are right. But they are not striking against their employers. Can anyone answer who they are striking against? I am guessing the criminal justice system?

 

They are striking against participating in distracting the general population from the problems they perceive in our society. I'm trying to avoid making a political argument one way or the other, but that is my take.

 

Everyone is always up in arms worried that our future is headed towards 1984 style oppression of our rights. In reality, I think Brave New World is much more relevant- we are so overloaded with content and given enough distractions that its almost impossible to keep up and process everything.

 

Personally, I've been pushing myself so hard at my 60+ hr a week job and working through relocating my family to the west coast that I didn't even know what was happening in Racine until the Buck's didn't play.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Technically I think this is a strike not a boycott

 

I think you are right. But they are not striking against their employers. Can anyone answer who they are striking against? I am guessing the criminal justice system?

 

They are striking against participating in distracting the general population from the problems they perceive in our society. I'm trying to avoid making a political argument one way or the other, but that is my take.

 

Everyone is always up in arms worried that our future is headed towards 1984 style oppression of our rights. In reality, I think Brave New World is much more relevant- we are so overloaded with content and given enough distractions that its almost impossible to keep up and process everything.

 

Personally, I've been pushing myself so hard at my 60+ hr a week job and working through relocating my family to the west coast that I didn't even know what was happening in Racine until the Buck's didn't play.

 

I think you nailed it. They are striking against those who are complaining this morning by saying "I use sports as an escape from this type of negativity." They are saying that they are fed up with being people's "escape" from reality. They are fed up with reality being so bad that people need an escape from it.

[CheezWizHed]

I'm on the bandwagon of not having my sports figures make political commentary (i.e. immigration, the president, China policies), but this is a bit different as it is more social than political.

 

I do wish there were games last night, but understand why they didn't.

[jjfanec]

I'm on the bandwagon of not having my sports figures make political commentary (i.e. immigration, the president, China policies), but this is a bit different as it is more social than political.

 

I do wish there were games last night, but understand why they didn't.

 

My question is do you think the never should make political commentary? That just seems incredibly limiting to them as people.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

I'm on the bandwagon of not having my sports figures make political commentary (i.e. immigration, the president, China policies), but this is a bit different as it is more social than political.

 

I do wish there were games last night, but understand why they didn't.

 

My question is do you think the never should make political commentary? That just seems incredibly limiting to them as people.

 

It's incredibly difficult for me to interpret that sentiment as anything other than "I don't like it when entertainers express a view that isn't mine." The exact same people that want to run LeBron over are the same ones applauding Chris Pratt or something when he talks about Jesus.

 

It's one thing for people to object to large entities taking sides on things. If Target does this and you don't like it, by all means, don't shop Target. If someone shoves a mic in a famous person's face and says "whaddya think about this" and they answer the question, I don't see the problem. When Joe Blow runs a local fundraiser for something he believes in, it is universally applauded. Famous people using their platform to champion things they believe doesn't bother me. There's nothing wrong with wanting to do something bigger than basketball/acting or whatever.

 

Just because that made you rich doesn't mean you're forced to stick to it 100% of the time. If my name were a billion-dollar brand I would like to think I'd use it to change some things that help other people.

[jjfanec]

I'm on the bandwagon of not having my sports figures make political commentary (i.e. immigration, the president, China policies), but this is a bit different as it is more social than political.

 

I do wish there were games last night, but understand why they didn't.

 

My question is do you think the never should make political commentary? That just seems incredibly limiting to them as people.

 

It's incredibly difficult for me to interpret that sentiment as anything other than "I don't like it when entertainers express a view that isn't mine." The exact same people that want to run LeBron over are the same ones applauding Chris Pratt or something when he talks about Jesus.

 

It's one thing for people to object to large entities taking sides on things. If Target does this and you don't like it, by all means, don't shop Target. If someone shoves a mic in a famous person's face and says "whaddya think about this" and they answer the question, I don't see the problem. When Joe Blow runs a local fundraiser for something he believes in, it is universally applauded. Famous people using their platform to champion things they believe doesn't bother me. There's nothing wrong with wanting to do something bigger than basketball/acting or whatever.

 

Just because that made you rich doesn't mean you're forced to stick to it 100% of the time. If my name were a billion-dollar brand I would like to think I'd use it to change some things that help other people.

 

100 percent agree. This is the Laura Ingraham shut up and dribble comment all over again to me. Then she applauds Drew Brees for saying stand for the troops. It is just so inconsistent. Athletes and celebrities shouldnt speak up unless they agree with you. Steph Curry can talk about his faith and some applaud him, he talks about racial injustice and he should just play basketball. And it goes both ways. Tim Tebow shouldnt talk about his faith but players should make stands on issues. They have every right to share their beliefs and their employer can decide if that fits in their conduct policy. Society as a whole can decide to not cheer for them i guess but they have no right to tell them they can't speak. Ironically a certain subset that talks about freedom of speech a lot doesnt want to let a certain group of the population to be free to share what they speak