Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James initially called it a boycott. Houston Rockets star Russell Westbrook doesn’t agree.
While Westbrook agrees with the NBA’s recent move to pause playoff games for three days — he says he wouldn’t have returned to play without further actions taken by the league and its owners to promote the social justice cause— he doesn’t agree with the “boycott” term.
Following Houston’s Game 5 victory on Saturday, which also served as Westbrook’s 2020 playoff debut after a right quad strain, the nine-time NBA All-Star and 2017 MVP was asked about the week’s events. When a reporter used the phrase “boycott,” Westbrook quickly corrected him before offering a further endorsement of the players’ movement.
Here’s how the exchange went:
Reporter: We’re coming from back from a boycott that was historic.
Westbrook: Not a boycott. Use different wording. It wasn’t a boycott.
The reporter then asked Westbrook — who wears “Black Lives Matter” on the back of his jersey at the NBA “bubble — what has changed since the latest movement by the league’s players. He replied:
It’s been only two days. It’s going to take some time, but as long as we have an understanding, as players and as owners, it’s going to take time. We’re in a difficult time. Not just us as athletes, but in the world today.
With the election coming up, and COVID, and so many people and young brothers losing their lives, it’s a crazy time. You’ve just got to pray and stay thankful, and find ways use our platform to impact as many people as possible.
As for the terminology, many labor experts seem to agree with Westbrook, noting that the term boycott traces back to consumers.
By contrast, the movement by NBA players — as employees — would be better described as a protest, or strike.
Why experts say the NBA protest is a strike, not a boycott (via @CNBCMakeIt) https://t.co/j6724f451Z
— CNBC (@CNBC) August 27, 2020
Whatever the case, Westbrook appeared quite happy to be back on the basketball court. Houston’s 34-point victory over Oklahoma City in Game 5 was the largest by margin in a playoff game in franchise history, and Westbrook played a key role in his return with energy and leadership.
Westbrook and the Rockets have an opportunity in Monday’s Game 6 to clinch the series and advance to the second round. Historically, in NBA playoff series that were tied after four games, the Game 5 winner has ultimately won the best-of-seven series more than 80% of the time.
