LeBron James responded on Wednesday night to President Trump's comments calling NBA players "disgraceful" for kneeling during the national anthem to protest racism and that he won't watch games if they knelt.
The big picture: Trump has repeatedly criticized sports players for taking the knee since 2016. But James said during a news conference, "I really don’t think the basketball community are sad about losing his viewership, him viewing the game." November's elections marked "a big moment for us as Americans," he said. "If we continue to talk about, 'We want better, we want change,' we have an opportunity to do that," he added. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has said the league will "respect peaceful protest."
.@melissarohlin asked LeBron James about his feelings on President Trump saying NBA players kneeling is disgraceful.
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) August 6, 2020
“I can sit here and speak for all of us that love the game of basketball, we could care less."
(🎥: @BenGolliver) pic.twitter.com/CEyCnqhBeZ
