The NBA rightfully yanking the 2017 All-Star Game out of Charlotte because of the HB2 “bathroom bill” has pissed off some North Carolina right-wing politicians and other blowhards. But people that actually matter continue to rally to support of the move.
That includes the National Basketball Players’ Association (the players’ union), which released this statement.
“The National Basketball Players Association supports the league’s decision to relocate the 2017 NBA All-Star Game from Charlotte. North Carolina is home to a sizable number of current and former NBPA members. They and our entire membership looked forward to participating in the All-Star week activities in the Charlotte community. However, the enactment of legislation that challenges the right of all Americans from discrimination threatened the ability of every attendee to enjoy the All-Star festivities. We join the NBA in the hope that the annual celebration of our game will one day, soon, be held in Charlotte.”
One of the most prominent North Carolina natives who stars in the NBA — Clippers point guard Chris Paul — summed up his frustration well, saying essentially it sucks but had to be done.
Chris Paul on the @NBA's decision to relocate the 2017 All-Star Game. pic.twitter.com/8PsXyiiJuE
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) July 22, 2016
The deal is done. The game is on the move, likely to New Orleans. Maybe the 2019 All-Star will go to Charlotte (modifications of HB2 were always more likely after the November election, not before), but the NBA did the right thing following through on its threat.
Now, about the transgender bathroom laws in Louisiana....