He hasn't played yet… but he's right in the middle of the action. Pivot of the Boston Celtics, Vincent Poirier is currently in the health bubble set up by the NBA in Orlando to end the season. He was therefore in the front row to attend the historic decision taken by the players to boycott several playoff games because of the aggression that won Jacob Blake, a black man by the American police. The French international tells.
How did you learn about the decision to boycott the matches?
VINCENT POIRIER. We had already mentioned the possibility for the first game of our semi-final against Toronto which was scheduled for Thursday. But it was all sparked by Milwaukee's refusal to play on Wednesday. Did that precipitate things afterwards? Everything happened really fast. We got together to discuss what to do next, what to do, and we voted for a boycott. This meeting made it possible to express and collect everyone's feelings. Everyone needed to talk. Afterwards, the Lakers and Clippers asked to end the season, but I think it was a hot reaction. This morning ( Editor's note Thursday ) we all agreed to play again.
How did the vote go?
We are all gathered in the same room, we have microphones and you give your opinion. Many players or coaches have done it. If someone doesn't want to play anymore, everyone will understand. Some wanted to continue doing actions. There were debates but finally, all the teams voted for the restart.
FUCK THIS MAN !!!! WE REQUEST CHANGE. SICK OF IT
- LeBron James (@KingJames) August 26, 2020Is the takeover a good decision?
Every position is respectable. We were able to get our message across but I think it's better to resume, to finish the season. Anyway, sad to say, but the changes will not happen in the week or in the month. Racism is ingrained in society. You can also send messages while playing. And we can also do it after the season. The main goal was to show that we are all concerned and affected by what is happening in society. It is not because we are in a sanitary bubble to play basketball that all this does not affect us. The stoppage of the matches on Wednesday made it possible to show it to the whole world.
We have the impression that athletes finally dare to speak out for societal issues ...
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Athletes have realized the power they have. Colin Kaepernick ( Editor's note: American football player ) warned about a real social phenomenon. At the time, he was marginalized but has since become a symbol. A lot of people are calling him to get things done. Currently, the watchword in the NBA and in American sport is to get people to vote in the next presidential election (in November). Society is changing.
What is your reaction to this new case of police violence?
It's cold in the back to think that this is happening today. It makes you uncomfortable, it's very disturbing. I get the feeling that in America every day there's a new video of a colored man being assaulted or an arrest going wrong. Jacob Blake gets arrested as he puts an end to a fight. He had his children in the car. Even when you're not doing anything serious, you can take a bullet.
The NBA issued the following statement pic.twitter.com/8xvdWFoq3C
- NBA (@NBA) August 27, 2020Have you ever been scared while walking in Boston or elsewhere?
No, but, sad to say, I'm a white man. Afterwards, you never know what can happen, I have tattoos, it can be frowned upon. I have been stopped before because my car has tinted windows. In the United States, it is prohibited to have more than 20% of tinted windows. At this point I avoid playing smart. But that has nothing to do with how my partners may be feeling.
What are they telling you?
They are afraid for themselves, for their families. They ask their relatives to be careful with the police. It's not something you're supposed to say. You shouldn't be afraid of being pulled over by the police when you have nothing to blame yourself for.