LA Lakers center Dwight Howard says the team may have to bid for an NBA championship without him.
Howard has told CNN that, given the unrest following the death of George Floyd last month, now is not the time for NBA games.
The NBA intends to finish the coronavirus-interrupted season and the playoffs at the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, with training camp set to be held between July 9-29, before the season restarts on July 30.
But Howard’s lengthy statement read in part: “Basketball, or entertainment period, isn’t needed at this moment, and will only be a distraction.
“I would love nothing more than to win my very first NBA Championship.
“But the unity of My People would be an even bigger Championship, that’s just too beautiful to pass up. What better time than now for us to be focusing on our families?
“This is a rare opportunity that, I believe, we as a community should be taking full advantage of.
“When have we ever had this amount of time to sit and be with our families? This is where our Unity starts. At home! With Family!!
“European Colonization stripped us of our rich history, and we have yet to sit down and figure us out. The less distractions, the more we can put into action into rediscovering ourselves.
“Nations come out of families. Black/African American is not a Nation or Nationality. It’s time Our Families became their own Nations.
“No Basketball till we get things resolved.”
The 34-year-old is in his 16th NBA season and is a three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, as well as an eight-time All-Star.
His Lakers’ team-mate, LeBron James, has been a supporter of the return-to-play plan but Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving reportedly opposes the plan.