basketball is more than just a sport

Despite the enormous obstacles faced, the “nba =” “exit =” “triumphant =” “from =” “this =” “now =” “at =” “shoulders =” “result =” “opposite =” “instead = “” for = “” the = “” basket = “” European. = “” l = “” has = “” closed = “” i = “” flying = “” may = “” deciding = “” of = ” “interrupt =” “tournament =” “pi =” “prestigious =” “of =” “basketball =” “in =” “old =” “continent =” “without =” “assign =” “title. =” ” one = “” defeat = “” all = “” especially = “” fans. = “” a = “” difference = “” of = “” football = “” vertices = “” second = “” sport = “” played = “” at = “” world = “” not = “” are = “” successful = “” season = “” canceling = “” done = “” also = “” championships = “” national = “” between = ” “cui =” “what =” “italiano. =” “le =” “controversy =” “missed =” “cos =” “how =” “recently =” “after =” “the =” “decision =” ” part = “” rai = “” direct = “” big = “” match = “” virtus = “” bologna = “” and = “” olimpia = “” milano = “” soli = “” minutes = “” from = “” end. = “” choice = “” apostrophe = “” from = “” president = “” league = “” gandini = “” underlined = “” supporters = “” basket. = “” >

In America, on the other hand, the cradle of sport with the ball in segments, things went differently. A difficult year, not only for the Coronavirus. 2020 opened with the tragic death of Kobe Bryant and Gianna, the 13-year-old daughter of the Los Angeles Lakers legend, who died in a helicopter crash. News that shocked the planet, as well as the killing of African American George Floyd by the police, dated May 26. In the NBA, where 83% of the players have African origins, the support for the activist movement “Black Lives Matter” was total, so much so that it had an impact – even according to former US President Trump – on the outcome of the presidential elections. In the summer, Covid is more alive than ever, but basketball has not stopped. With the “bubble” in Orlando, the playoffs were possible. It is still the 26th, but this time in August when Justin Blake, another black citizen, is hit by 7 bullets fired by uniformed agents. The NBA stars are ready to bring down the curtain on the season, thus interrupting the last matches valid for the ring.

After the storm, the waters calmed down. The title returned to the “City of Angels”, thanks to the guidance from heaven of an angel above all called Kobe and an immortal on the floor with the number 23 jersey. Lebron James and Antony Davis dragged the Lakers towards the 17th title, but the entire NBA won. Despite the pandemic, despite the empty stands, despite the many top players absent due to injuries, the season has been completed. Everything for the fans, for African Americans and for the “Mamba”. A ‘black’ 2020, in many respects. Black like the consequences of Coronavirus, like mourning for Bryant, like Floyd and Blake’s skin. A year that will hardly be forgotten, given the many vicissitudes, but that will certainly leave a mark and a lesson: at least in America, basketball is much more than just a sport.