LeBron James urged to sit out NBA season as a sign of protest against racism

Lakayana Drury, a community leader from Portland, Oregon, has sent an open letter to Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, urging him to sit out  current NBA season. NBA season, which has been suspended since March, is set to resume from July 31 onwards with all teams heading to Walt Disney World in Orlando. However, in his letter, Drury has requested LeBron James to "t participate" in NBA restart until league addresses "racial disparities" within league and in country.

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LeBron James urged to back out of NBA restart

Lakayana Drury is  co-chair of Portland Committee on Community-Engd Policing and is also director of n-profit organisation Word is Bond. On Monday, Drury took to Twitter to share his open letter to LeBron James where he addressed Lakers star as " cultural leader of NBA.” Drury went on to explain his request stating, " majority white owners of NBA have been largely silent in wake of murder of George Floyd and (resulting) movement that has swept entire nation." He furr explained that NBA restart will only serve as a distraction to ongoing protests in United States. "Do t allow m to use your talent, your Black body, to generate money and deflate mess. To watch Black players play at this time would feel akin to watching a minstrel show," he added. 

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LeBron James' former teammate Kyrie Irving recently voiced his disapproval of NBA restart amid current turmoil in US. Drury wrote LeBron James should join Brooklyn Nets star in order to inspire or players to follow ir lead. " NBA until we have cultural change and reform within law enforcement ncies across this country. NBA until we redress systemic racism within our country. y want you to shut up and dribble. y want you as a basketball player. But right w, we need you as a King," he concluded.

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LeBron James has been considerably vocal on social media as he has openly criticised system that encourd racism in nation. He has also used his platform as a means to spread awareness about racial injustice and police brutality. Lakers star is yet to respond to Drury's letter. Meanwhile, Kyrie Irving has reportedly formed a players' coalition with Lakers guard Avery Bradley to raise concerns over NBA restart while US is battling COVID-19 pandemic and systemic racism. 

Lakers and Nets are among 22 NBA teams going to Orlando for NBA restart. Lakers have already secured ir playoff berth and are currently leading Western Conference. Kyrie Irving's Nets are seventh in Eastern Conference with a 30-34 (win-loss) record. 

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(Im Credits: NBA.com)