“If not now, when?”- Chris Webber delivers emotional and hard-hitting speech on NBA Boycott

Chris Webber congratulated NBA Players in an emotional statement for leading the boycott and making a statement for the world to stand up and notice. 

The NBA Boycott led by the players came as a surprise to a large section of NBA fans. However, with the recent Jacob Blake shooting and all the other countless acts of racial injustice in the country, it seems as if it was only a matter of time.

‘Black Lives Matter’ painted on the court, social justice messages, every press conference ridden with messages to curb racism; the NBA had already given the players a platform to spread awareness about police brutality and injustice.

However, when news of the Jacob Blake shooting came through, every individual inside the Bubble felt that something greater had to be done.

And thus the players, as one solid unit, took the decision of boycotting games, so as to garner the attention of people at large.

Chris Webber salutes NBA players for the boycott

An emotional Chris Webber had a lot to say on ‘Inside NBA’ tonight, as he addressed the boycott and commended the players for such a unified drastic step.

He emphasised on not knowing the next steps, but just cherishing that the current step had shaken the country and that was enough to get things started.

The players needed to do something to channelise everyone’s attention towards racial injustice in the country and they had succeeded in it to an extent tonight.

“I wanted to have a voice in this because I feel like we only have the same couple voices talking during these times, so it’s very important for me to come over here. I keep hearing the question, “What’s next? What’s next?” Well, you’ve got to plan what’s next. You have to figure out what’s next.” Webber said.

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“I’m very proud of the players. I don’t know the next steps. I don’t really care what the next steps are because the first steps are to garner attention, and they have everybody’s attention around the world right now. Then leadership and others will get together and decide the next steps. We know it won’t end tomorrow. We know that there’s been a million marches and nothing will change tomorrow.” he emotionally added.

NBA players starting a revolution

He feels the players are starting something for the next generation, something for people to take over from, something that will linger on and bring about change sooner than later.

And with the NBA players being professionally and emotionally invested in this, Webber feels they will be able to accomplish something that has never been seen before.

“Don’t listen to these people telling you don’t do anything because it’s not going to end right away. You are starting something for the next generation and the next generation to take over. Do you have to be smart? Yes. Do you have to make sure you have a plan? Yes. Do you have to be articulate about that plan? Yes. All of those things, but that’s what you’re going to do.

“They’re professionals, they know how to be the best of themselves. So I applaud it. I applaud it because it’s the young people, the young people leading the way. And I applaud them.” Webber exclaimed.