Florida: LeBron James said this week's player boycott of NBA playoff games was a chance to "take a breath" and refocus on the issues of social justice that had been part of the reason the league restarted in the Orlando, Florida bubble.
"We are trying to create change and you can't lose sight of what the main thing is and why we came out here. Yes, we have been using our voice. Yes, we have been using our platform and trying to create change. But there was an opportunity to just take a deep breath. And that was the moment. And that was the moment and we all from the whole league, players, coaches, the owners, you guys, everyone had an opportunity to just exhale and say 'well, are we really trying to create change and have action?'. So that gave us the opportunity."
"I have had numerous nights and days when I wanted to leave the bubble. I think everyone has, including you guys. (laughs) I am just saying I don't think there is one person who has not had the mind to say ''I got to get the hell out of here'. But it's not because of what transpired. But yeah, it probably crossed my mind about once a day, for sure."
James admitted that players are restless and want to get out of the quarantine situation they have been under for more than a month, but that it had no bearing on the threat to walk out on the rest of the season in the wake of the unrest following the shooting of Jacob Blake.
