NBA Dropped The Ball With Jersey Plan: 76ers Forward Mike Scott Calls It A “Bad Miss”

Philadelphia 76ers forward Mike Scott claims the NBA will give players a list of phrases they can put on their jerseys when the season restarts in Orlando. This is very different than what Grizzlies rookie PG Ja Morant had in mind. Scott feels like the NBA jersey plan limits the players’ freedom of expression and is calling it a “bad miss.”

I knew the NBA wouldn’t allow Morant to replace his name with “F*ck 12.” However, I thought players would have more freedom than this. The Undefeated’s Marc J. Spears reported Friday that the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association agreed on a list of messages. Black Lives Matter, Vote, I Can’t Breathe, Justice, Say Her Name, Sí Se Puede, to name a few. The phrase “Sí Se Puede” (Yes we can) has become somewhat ubiquitous, but I don’t find it to be directly applicable here. What I don’t like about the NBA jersey plan is that it doesn’t allow for individuality. Rather, it feels to be pushing a specific agenda.

Scott thinks it will be difficult to get back into the mindset of focusing on basketball again after everything that has happened in the world over the past few months. “But once we’re back playing, it should be like riding a bike,” said Scott. I have to agree with Scott’s sentiments about the NBA jersey plan. They made an attempt to let players express themselves, but really missed the mark. Above all, I think players sporting phrases on their jerseys that they didn’t come up with allows for false narratives. The media twists the words of NBA players enough as it is. The plan only gives them more power to do that, in my opinion.

I am all for players promoting social activism, but they should be allowed to do it in their own way. I completely understand Mike Scott’s frustration. Don’t be surprised if players reject the NBA’s jersey plan and find other ways to protest.

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