In the wake of multiple killings by ICE agents in Minnesota, the San Antonio Spurs and other NBA figures spoke out against the violence by a fascist regime.
NBA basketball is small potatoes. At the end of the day, grown men are paid millions of dollars to play a children's game. It's not complicated by any means, although they certainly have celebrity status.
In the United States, celebrities probably get asked to do more than they should. Basketball players are no exception and have to be role models on and off the court.
For decades, the San Antonio Spurs have largely been on the right side of political or social justice issues. Today, that continued.
Spurs, Wembanyama Comment on ICE Shootings
Illegal immigration is a paperwork crime. Being in the country illegally does not actually hurt anyone. Existing in the United States without proper documentation is not a violent act.
Enforcing those laws, it seems, usually is.
When a paramilitary force feels emboldened enough to open fire on its own citizens, it's a clear sign of a democracy in shambles. When the government that is firing on its own people then lies about the circumstances of that violence, it's easy to rationalize the anti-American sentiments brewing both at home and abroad.
The Spurs, and other public figures, are expected to carry themselves with a certain grace. Their PR training tells them not to use the "m-word" (murder) to describe what everyone already saw, but even years of media coaching can't hold back their rage.
"I'd be charged if I shot someone in the back, they fall," said De'Aaron Fox, referring to ICE killing Alex Pretti, shooting him several times despite no weapon being in his hand. "And then even if it's in my house, even if I'm protecting my property, and then I decide I want to empty the entire clip. That's where you get to excessive force and all these other things."
For most players, navigating how to speak out is new to them.
"I don't really get too much into politics and stuff," said Julian Champagnie. "But I think the violence is the main thing that has to stop."
American politics are mostly new to Victor Wembanyama. After all, he grew up in France, where police violence is not normal.
"I'm not going to sit here and give some politically correct [statement]," Wembanyama said. "Every day I wake up and see the news, and I'm horrified. I think it's crazy that some people might make it seem like or make it sound like it's acceptable. Like the murder of civilians is acceptable? Every day, I read the news, and sometimes I ask very deep questions about my own life. But, you know, I'm conscious also that saying everything, you know, that's on my mind would have a cost that's too great for me right now."
The Second Amendment, which conservatives have long rallied behind as a justification for a lack of progress after massacres in elementary schools, died with Pretti. The First Amendment, it seems, is also on its last legs, and Wembanyama is well aware of that. As a pro athlete, Wemby is on a P-1 visa. If he were to say what it sounds like he's thinking, there's a strong chance that his visa could be revoked.
I'm sure there are a lot of Spurs fans who wish the team would stick to hoops. I'm sure there are even more who are thrilled that the players are speaking out. As America's beacon goes out, it's important that people with status and privilege make sure they stand for something.
Gregg Popovich would be proud.