data-mm-id=”_99hc0za2w”>With the Denver Nuggets facing elimination and thus being de-platformed, Jamal Murray laced up sneakers embossed with lives state actors fatally deemed not to matter and dropped 50 points yet again. After outdueling Donovan Mitchell and setting up a winner-take-all Game 7 against the Utah Jazz, Murray stood for an interview with Turner Sports' Jared Greenberg. An interview in which he had trouble finding the right words but spoke as loudly and clearly about the current dichotomy as any.“We found something we’re fighting for as the NBA, as a collective unit…and I use these shoes as a symbol to keep fighting all around the world.”- Jamal Murray after Denver's Game 6 win. pic.twitter.com/rkwPn9QuHX— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) August 31, 2020Murray continued to deal with heavy emotions after the conversation. respect #JamalMurray#BreonnaTaylor #GeorgeFloyd pic.twitter.com/eC7LWetlw8— ‘Represent Intellectual Violence’??✨ (@theSoreWinner_) August 31, 2020For better or worse, society has adopted a coping mechanism that involves putting superhuman athletes in an artificial environment to compete for our entertainment. Setting aside the business ramifications and the players' handsome compensation, it's plainly an inhumane situation. And that's before you factor in the pressing weight of being at the forefront of the fight for racial justice. Yes, the NBA has proven time and time again that it can walk and chew gum. Murray has proven he can be a stone-cold killer on the court then tap into the country's collective heart and better angels in the next breath. Multitasking both important and relatively trivial is taxing and confusing. The Bubble is heavy. Its weight is noticeable on players who have been pushed to the brink and will be pushed there again. The toll is obvious and it has brought most to their knees — both symbolically and out of pure exhaustion. This season stopped being about basketball a long time ago. The game is simply a means to an end. The vessel that allows the message to reach the masses. Make no mistake, though: they are playing their hearts out before pouring them out. Anyone paying attention understands that The Bubble Experiment will not result in some resounding victory. Change comes incrementally and always long after it was necessary. Look no further than the swath of people who have the audacity to pretend that fighting for equality and basic human dignity is controversial. They aren't hard to find and though their motives may differ — from grift to pure ignorance — the end point is sadly the same. On the topic of humanity, one wonders how a reasonable person processes what Murray went through last night, the overwhelming emotions and heavy shoulders, and walks away with anything less than respect. Even if a person has disagreements on policy or the supporting facts, how does a person with a beating heart see and hear Murray and throw out the "what about black-on-black crime" or any other distracting deflect?And look, I suppose I should know the answer to that question in the latter stages of 2020. It'd be foolish and naive to expect anything different. But dammit are we ever seeing the human beings behind these jerseys. It's a constant reminder that their superhuman feats belie their mortality, which is not equally valued. This is powerful, authentic stuff. It should challenge and unsettle you. You're supposed to feel the highs and lows and be jarred by the shifts between essential and frivolity. Hell, you're just supposed to feel the requisite empathy, if not rage or despair or inspiration.
Related Posts
Benfica are considering a move for Toulouse shot-stopper Ali Ahamada, French media outlet L Equipe has learned.
The Eagles are in the market for a long-term successor to Jan Oblak despite signing veteran Julio Cesar in the summer and the 23-year-old is one of the first names on their hit-list.
Ali Ahamada is almost certain to leave Toulouse in January considering that his current contract is due to expire at the end of the season.
The talented goalkeeper was dropped from the starting line-up after refusing to sign a new deal at Stade Municipal, with summer recruit Zacharia Boucher taking his place between the sticks.
Ahamada had made a total of 104 Ligue 1 appearances up to that moment, and he remains one of France s most talented goalkeepers.
Th…
Raheem Sterling is 100 per cent committed to an international career with England.
The Liverpool winger feels he could not turn his back on the youth system which developed him as a footballer to play for Jamaica.
The 18-year-old was born in Jamaica with his family, and could still elect to play for either nation having only featured as a substitute in the 4-2 friendly loss to Sweden for the Three Lions.
However, while he has been courted from officials from both sides, the youngster is glad he made his debut for Roy Hodgson s side and will remain in the white shirt of England.
I couldn t turn my back on England because I ve grown up through the English youth system and progressed from there, he told reporters.
I couldn t just switch over, I wo…
Urby Emanuelson is hoping for a fresh start at Milan this season and wants to become a first-team regular.
The Netherlands international was loaned out to Fulham last term after finding it hard to break into Massimo Allegri s side.
After 13 appearances in the Premier League he returned to Italy and has set his sights on helping Milan push for the Serie A title.
Emanuelson has been involved in the International Champions Cup in USA and he hopes it is a new beginning for him.
I feel that (this is a chance) for me to start a new period in Milan, he said. I m glad to be back here, I want to play, do well and help the team.
For me it is important to play full-back or midfield playmaker, I think this year I should think about taking the left-back spot.
T…
England captain Wayne Rooney is set to win his 100th international cap in Saturday s Euro 2016 qualifier against Slovenia at Wembley.
The Manchester United skipper will likely lead the line for Roy Hodgson s side in their final Group E qualifier of 2014 and become the ninth England player to reach the century mark in doing so.
Joining the likes of former international team-mates Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole and David Beckham, Rooney will hope to mark his achievement with a fourth victory of the qualifying campaign.
England have been impressive in qualification for the European Championships after a dismal showing at the World Cup in Brazil, and boast an unblemished record ahead of Saturday s clash with second-placed Slovenia.
Sreko Katanec…
Borussia Dortmund poked fun at Manchester United and Juventus after winning the race for highly rated Salzburg striker Erling Haaland.
Dortmund confirmed the signing of Haaland on Sunday, with the 19-year-old putting pen to paper on a contract until 2024.
Haaland who has scored 28 goals in 22 appearances in all competitions this season, including eight times in the Champions League had also been linked with United, Serie A champions Juve and Dortmund s Bundesliga rivals RB Leipzig.
The speculation was clearly not lost on Dortmund, who addressed it with a significant degree of humour on Twitter.
— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow)
…
Some of Europe s top clubs are already making signings ahead of the January transfer window, but Real Madrid s focus, at least for now, looks to be on securing the services of a current player.
Karim Benzema remains one of Madrid s key men, with 12 goals in 17 LaLiga matches this term.
Los Blancos will reportedly reward the striker s fine form with a contract renewal in the coming months, keeping him at the Santiago Bernabeu for another two seasons.
TOP STORY – BENZEMA TO STAY UNTIL 2022
Karim Benzema has agreed to sign a new contract with LaLiga giants Real Madrid, according to Marca.
Benzema s current deal had been set to expire in 2021, but an extension is imminent. The newspaper reports the Frenchman will be rewarded improved te…
Harry Redknapp enjoyed a winning return to Fratton Park as Tottenham Hotspur beat Premier League basement club Portsmouth 2-1 on Saturday.
Victory kept Spurs in third place and left Portsmouth, who saw Aruna Dindane miss two fine chances, still searching for their first home win of the season.
Ledley King headed Spurs in front from a corner by Pompey old boy Niko Kranjcar before Jermain Defoe, also a former Portsmouth player, made it 2-0. Kevin-Prince Boateng pulled one back moments before Defoe saw red for stamping, but Spurs held on and Pompey had Michael Brown sent-off just before the finish.
Fears of a hostile reception for Redknapp, who led Portsmouth to FA Cup glory in 2008 before departing for White Hart Lane, proved unfounded.
Both sides featured…
Although Manchester City might have seen their 10-match winning run come to an end on Wednesday night, the Sky Blues did punch their Champions League semi-final ticket.
Eventually playing out a 1-1 draw against Bayern Munich here, Pep Guardiola’s side were simply looking to finish off the job as they claimed a stunning first-leg 3-0 romp at the Etihad last week.
Although the record-breaking Erling Haaland might have shockingly blazed over from the penalty spot seven minutes before the half-time break, the ex-Borussia Dortmund ace did have time to notch his 12th Champions League strike of the season after producing a clinical finish in the 57th minute.
While German international Joshua Kimmich might have bagged Bayern a consolation strike after converting from …
Matija Nastasic has revealed he turned down other offers in order to join Schalke and is determined to put his Manchester City woes behind him.
Matija Nastasic has revealed he turned down other offers in order to join Schalke and the defender is determined to ensure Manchester City s loss is the Bundesliga club s gain.
The Serbia centre-back sealed a loan move to Schalke for the rest of the season earlier this week, with a view to a permanent switch to Gelsenkirchen.
Nastasic, who joined City from Fiorentina back in 2012, fell out of favour with the Premier League champions and made only one appearance for Manuel Pellegrini s side this season in the Community Shield in August.
The 21-year-old has welcomed the opportunity play first-team football under…
Villarreal confirm a deal has been agreed in principle for Gabriel Paulista to join Arsenal, with Joel Campbell moving the other way on loan.
Villarreal have announced a deal has been agreed in principle for Brazilian defender Gabriel Paulista to join Arsenal, with Costa Rica forward Joel Campbell moving in the other direction on loan.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger spoke of his interest in Gabriel on Thursday and said talks were progressing well over the potential signing of the 24-year-old.
Gabriel is now set to complete his switch to the Emirates Stadium on Monday, with Villarreal taking Campbell on loan for the remainder of the season.
The Spanish club confirmed the agreements via their official website on Saturday, revealing only minor details nee…