NBA teams who are scheduled for their Game 5 in their playoff games did not show up to show protest and are more likely to face penalties according to a former executive. 

NBA
(Photo : Reutersconnect)

The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Basketball Association Players' Association (NBPA) have been very expressive and vocal to support the African-American community. In fact, NBA teams are all united to end racism within the league. 

The African-American community gained support from the NBA teams following the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and more after they died while under police custody. When the league was in a hiatus due to the global pandemic, they discussed how to support the community. 

There are players from NBA teams who replaced their names at the back using social justice messages like "Black Lives Matter," "I Can't Breathe," and more. Chris Paul, the NBPA President, even said that they also communicated with the slain African-Americans to allow the players to wear the names of their deceased loved ones. 

Now, NBA teams show more support to the African-American community following the shooting incident that involved Jacob Black, who is Black, and was shot by a police officer many times. According to a published report, Jacob Blake is currently paralyzed. 

One of the NBA teams who first announced not to play is the Milwaukee Bucks against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Orlando Magic also declined to accept Bucks' forfeiture as a sign of support and respect for what Bucks and other teams are fighting for.

While the aim of NBA teams is substantial most especially in this time where racism happens to the minorities, a former NBA executive warned that NBA teams who fail to appear during the scheduled game are more likely to be penalized. 

Bobby Marks, a former vice president, and assistant general manager for the Brooklyn Nets, posted on his Tweeter account that the NBA teams could be penalized up to $5 million fine. However, Marks explained that this part of the manual might not be implemented this time because of the present situation. 

Bobby Marks wrote, "There is "failure to appear" language in the Operations Manual. - forfeiture of the game - up to $5M fine. That doesn't mean it will be applied in the case of Milwaukee boycotting G5. Like everything this year, we are dealing with situations that have never happened before."

After this, the NBA also announced that two other playoff games would be postponed. A joint statement from NBA and NBPA said they are delaying the games of NBA teams Bucks vs. Magic, Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, and Los Angeles Lakers vs. Portland Trail Blazers following the decision of the Bucks not to play. 

NBA players' union director Michele Roberts also expressed her support to the NBA teams and players who have long been battling to fight and end racism in the league. She even asserted that NBA teams and players had demanded justice for African-Americans and other minorities throughout the restart of the league. 

She also added that the union fully supports the decision of Milwaukee Bucks to demand justice. Moreover, more than 50 percent of all NBA teams are Blacks or have roots from the African-American culture and heritage.

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