Amid civil unrest in the United States, the resumption of the 2019/20 NBA season has taken a backseat. After a Kyrie Irving-led conference call on Friday, the possibility of not reporting to Orlando and canceling the season was discussed as a means of not overshadowing the current social issues.
One player, in particular, who has been focusing on social justice issues rather than basketball is Bucks veteran guard George Hill, ESPN’s Eric Woodyard writes. While the 34-year-old maintains he is in good physical shape, the fallout of the George Floyd murder and the ensuing unrest around the world has shifted his perspective.
“I’ve been working every day since this all started with my body, my game and things like that, but as a whole, I can care less about basketball right now. … that’s my last thought on my mind is basketball,” Hill said. “I can care less what’s going on. I think there’s bigger issues and bigger things to tackle in life right now than a basketball game.”
In addition to the social impact, some doubt has been cast on the NBA’s plan to resume in Orlando given a recent spike of coronavirus cases in Florida and unclear safety protocols.
Hill stressed his role as a prominent athlete is to advocate for change that goes beyond the basketball court. While he feels physically up for the challenge, Hill noted his mental state still needs time to catch up.
“I don’t know how it’s going to affect me on the basketball court,” he said. “I know that I, physically, have been working my ass off this entire time I’ve been off. I haven’t taken one day off since this whole hiatus has came into effect. … I’m in great physical shape, but mentally, I’ve still got a little more work to do.”
So he does care if he can care less than he already does.
Ha, that’s what I got out of it too.
What’s his first thought ?
If that is the way he feels, then he needs to retire from the NBA and become a full time activist. He has made enough money to do so and if he doesn’t appreciate his job, then someone else can do it. There is a time to deal with social issues and a time to get back to work. There are a lot of people that would love his spot.
Its only those who already got their bag talking about how they can’t play because of the “bigger issues”. George Hill doesn’t even care about his own teammates like Cameron Reynolds and Frank Mason who haven’t made that much money in their career. Austin Rivers put it best “most players have not made Kyrie money and need the paychecks fore their family. Playing basketball is not a distraction to the movement and it can make it better because thats more money players can give to the cause”.
That last part is similar what I’ve been thinking about this. Players can bring far more attention to these issues by playing and using their platform to speak out. Fair or not, if they don’t play they won’t have nearly as many people paying attention to what they say
Whether he cares or not he better get motivated soon. Possibly his last chance for the Bucks to win a championship and for the team to keep Giannis
Giannis is at least under contract through next season.
Giannis trade talk
Bucks get Klay Thompson. Warriors pick, Wolves pick
Warriors get Giannis and Ilvasiva
Another financially set player spewing out nonsense. You should be encouraging other players to use this time(in the bubble) as a platform! But nope, if the CBA gets torn up(and sets the league back 5-10) years. You’re cool with it because you already made your money.
I can care less about u George Hill.
you cared enough to comment
I love it when people confuse “can/could care less” with “can’t/couldn’t care less.” All Mr Met is saying is that he does care about George Hill, at least a little bit.
This is just evidence that George Hill is among the privileged. Everyone else has to work regardless of unrest.
I love this. They’re considering not playing to push their cause, but will piss off millions of fans in the process, and then disable their opportunity to push their cause. Am I getting this right?
Yepper, that sounds about right from the cheap seats.
Tick the Fans and owners off enough with their privileged rants and the season may indeed get cancelled.
Blowing up the CBA on the process. Be lucky if it can be reworked and save half of next season.
Would this be a form of social justice as well ?
George gill current average salary $ 9,590,000.00 per year….. yea he can go ahead and quick basketball now
Look George you are a below average player, you made way too much money for your talent, if you don’t wanna play, no one & I repeat no one will miss you, so go do your protest & please don’t come back to the league, let the guys who care enough to play do their job!
George Hill is not a player who cares about BB that much anyway. It’s the source of his cool. He cannot turn it up if he has to. I forget now, some other disappointing ex-Cav had earlier spoken up against participating in resumption and I said similar.
I think Mr. Hill makes sense. To some people what’s going on now is more important than their own jobs. Fair enough. For some the opposite is true. Fair enough. I assume he’s talking about social justice issues or health care issues. Some will care more about economics. Fair enough. There has to be a balance.