Raptors’ Fred VanVleet says ‘terrible timing’ for NBA to restart, but will play
Raptors guard has addressed the issue in a conference call.
Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet said it was difficult to decide whether to take part in the NBA restart to its season amid the coronavirus pandemic and protests for social justice. Ultimately, though, he decided to play.
“It sucks,” VanVleet said in a conference call Monday of having to make such a choice. “It’s terrible timing. But that’s been 2020 for us. We all know the right thing to do is to not play, to take a stand. Morally, yes, that makes sense. But life goes on. We’re all young, Black guys. None of us want to give any money back. I don’t think that we should. I think that money can be used in a number of different ways. This is not going to end this summer regardless, or over the next couple of months. This issue, racial injustice, social injustice, police brutality, all these things are not ending anytime soon. Our fight was long-term. That was part of my decision. If the league, or more of my guys would have come together and said we didn’t want to play, I would have sat out as well. I wouldn’t have even fought it. I think most of us decided to play. It’s something we’ll have to live with. I trust that my heart’s in the right place, and I’m doing enough to make change.”
Fonte: ESPN.