The Washington Wizards will not ‘shut up and dribble’

The Washington Wizards are clear on where they stand.

There may have been some Bradley Beal trade rumors floating around this weekend, but the Wizards’ didn’t comment on those. Instead, they commented on things far bigger than basketball.

As protests continue across the country in response to the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, the Washington Wizards organization decided they could no longer sit by and stay silent.

Statement from the Washington Wizards: We will no longer shut up and dribble

Late Sunday night, after the third consecutive day of protests outside the White House – just a few blocks from where the Wizards play their home games – the team spoke out. And they made it quite clear what they had to say.

"We will no longer tolerate the assassination of color in this country.We will no longer accept the abuse of power from law enforcement.We will no longer accept ineffective govermenent leaders who are tone-deaf, lack compassion for communities of color.We will no longer shut up and dribble."

While organizations and brands around the world come out with vague and seemingly hollow shows of support for the protests and for the black community, the Wizards made it explicitly clear what they are standing for.

This is how you make a statement in support of your community. This is how you show you care.

Even before the Wizards made this statement, players such as Bradley Beal and Admiral Schofield were vocal on Twitter in their support for protestors around the country.

On Saturday, May 30, Beal took part in an extremely honest (and sometimes heated) Twitter discussion with fans in which he attempted to better understand other points of view while also explicitly expressing his own.

The Wizards aren’t the only basketball team in D.C. speaking out, either. Natasha Cloud, the point guard for the Washington Mystics, penned a powerful piece in the Player’s Tribune, titled “Your Silence is a Knee on My Neck.” Wizards and Mystics owner Ted Leonsis even shared the piece on Twitter, further showing the organization’s support. I implore you to give it a read.

Los Angeles Lakers players also took to social media refusing to shut up and dribble. Players including LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Danny Green, Alex Caruso, and Quinn Cook all posted a short but poignant message on Instagram.

"If You ain’t with US, We ain’t with Y’ALL"

And not all NBA activism was done online this weekend. Jaylen Brown and Malcolm Brogdon both marched with protestors in Atlanta on Sunday, May 31. The days of sticking to sports are gone.

In addition to all the charity work the Wizards players usually do, it’s great to see them further supporting their communities and standing up for what is right. Stay safe, D.C.