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Eric WoodyardESPN
In a fan-less Fiserv Forum on Wednesday night, it seemed normal as members of the Detroit Pistons and Milwaukee Bucks headed downtown for a regular tip.
However, when reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo got first possession for the Bucks, both teams, including the coaching staff on the sidelines, took one knee. They repeated the action as soon as the Pistons had also received the ball.
The peaceful act took place a day after prosecutors in Kenosha, Wisconsin, decided not to file a criminal charge against the police officers in the August shooting of Jacob Blake. Nearly five months earlier, the Bucks boycotted Game 5 of their first round playoff game against the Orlando Magic on Aug. 26 from the bubble in Orlando, Florida, in response to Blake’s shooting. The boycott was the start of a three-day break in the NBA.
Bucks players were in constant contact in a group chat on Tuesday, expressing their frustrations and concerns about the verdict. There were frequent discussions about what they wanted to do before deciding to kneel.
Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said he also spoke to a few members of the team after Monday’s 125-115 win over the Pistons, pending Tuesday’s ruling.
“Hopefully we all listen and we all learn and we all grow,” said Budenholzer. “But without a doubt, myself as a coach and myself working with a lot of great people, especially young African American men, that this stuff is very important to and they have their own personal experiences that they have shared individually with me or collectively with our group, you can’t help but sit and listen and grow, empathy. Know that you probably can never really understand what a lot of people have been through, but I myself try to do better. “
Blake, who is black, was shot seven times on August 23 by Kenosha police officer Rusten Sheskey, who is white. Blake was paralyzed. The shooting, which took place in front of Blake’s three children and was captured on video, sparked major protests in Kenosha, with more than 250 people arrested during several days of unrest.
The other two police officers on the scene – Brittany Meronek and Vincent Arenas – will not be charged either, according to Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Graveley.
Bucks center Brook Lopez, speaking before Wednesday’s game, described a feeling of “helplessness” after hearing about the ruling.
“It’s clearly disappointing. Very discouraging. I personally get a sense of helplessness. was located at the time. “Lopez said, adding that he believes the Bucks’ actions weren’t in vain.” Just that helpless feeling. It’s like what are you doing at this point?
“To me it seems like the officer’s response, if he was trained to fire until there was no action or no movement or whatever it was. To shoot someone seven times, if he has a knife or what it was. “Whatever and him in his car, it seems so over the top in comparison. Again, I can’t help but feel helpless.”