LeBron James & Lakers ‘Devastated’ By Decision Not To Charge Officers In Breonna Taylor Killing

A main theme of the NBA’s restart has been the call for social justice and accountability for police brutality against black people in America. A primary figure in these calls has been Breonna Taylor, a black woman who was killed by three police earlier this year. On Wednesday, it was announced that none of the three officers involved in the incident was charged for her murder, and the only criminal charges levied were for “wanton endangerment” for a police officer firing recklessly into a residential area.

The NBA’s players were discouraged by this news with Lakers’ players LeBron James and Danny Green lamenting the decision that a grand jury made and were visibly downtrodden by this weeks’ events. “Bron texted the group chat that there might be an announcement made,” Green said. “Nobody was really happy about it. It was disappointing. In a sense, something was done, but it wasn’t enough. Most guys felt it was definitely not enough…. It’s a tough one. It’s a tough one.”

On his Twitter, James also made a public statement saying. “I’ve been lost for words today! I’m devastated, hurt, sad, mad! We want Justice for Breonna yet justice was met for her neighbors apartment walls and not her beautiful life. Was I surprised at the verdict. Absolutely not but damnit I was & still am hurt and heavy hearted! I send. my love to Breonna mother, family and friends! I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry!!”

It is unclear what kind of protests will come from the NBA after this decision. When Jacob Blake was shot by police there was a league-wide boycott started by the Milwaukee Bucks that led to a very dramatic few days in the NBA. So far, there has been no word about what is coming next, but I don’t expect these players to be silent.