The NBA and Players Association, directed by Michele Roberts, spent three days last week in deep conversations over social justice, basketball and everything in between.
Following a league-wide boycott started by the Milwaukee Bucks, players demanded that tangible progress be made towards fixing injustices in the United States. This came with the threat that — should they not contribute — they would sit out the remainder of the season.
It led to a three-point agreement between players and the league, clearing the way for the playoffs to resume. From all perspectives, it felt imperative to figure out a way to continue playing games, as a cancellation of the 2020 NBA Playoffs would have devastating financial implications.