If LeBron James wants the NBA to return, then that’s what will happen. That’s Patrick Beverley’s prediction, no matter what Kyrie Irving, Dwight Howard or anyone else says.
The Clippers’ pesky defensive-minded guard went on Twitter to make that clear, writing Sunday that “Hoopers say what y’all want. If @King James said he hooping. We all hooping. Not personal only BUSINESS.”
Beverley added the hashtag “StayWoke” four ‘prayer’ emojis and three raised black fist emojis.
The NBA’s 22-team return-to-play format has already been approved by the NBA’s Player’s Association, though it appears not everyone was on board.
On Friday night, the injured Nets star Irving led a conference call of over 80 players in which he discussed the possibility of skipping the July 30 restart at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports, as he fears it could distract from the current “Black Lives Matter” movement support by many NBA players.
James, who reportedly was not on the call, is believed to be in favor of the plan to return to action and doesn’t think that it would distract from the battle against social injustice and police brutality. James announced the formation of a voting rights group, along with Hawks guard Trae Young, in hopes of increasing black voter turnout and ending black voter suppression.
“Because of everything that’s going on, people are finally starting to listen to us,” James told the New York Times. “We feel like we’re finally getting a foot in the door. How long is up to us. We don’t know. But we feel like we’re getting some ears and some attention, and this is the time for us to finally make a difference.”
Several players have come out on both sides of the matter, some supporting James and others like Howard getting behind Irving. But only the voice one player – James – truly matters, Beverley believes.