Garrett Temple has thoughtful answer to Jonathan Isaac’s kneeling decision
Garrett Temple shared his thoughts on Jonathan Isaac.
The NBA returned Thursday night and both games featured players and coaches taking a knee during the playing of the national anthem. The expectation was that this process would continue Friday as well.
The Orlando Magic and Brooklyn Nets met up Friday afternoon and only one individual did not take a knee. That was young Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac, who was the lone man standing and also was without a “Black Lives Matter” shirt on.
Isaac being the only one standing was an odd sight and players were asked about his move following the game. Nets veteran Garrett Temple offered up a well thought-out response to the decision.
Nets guard Garrett Temple with, as always, a long and thoughtful answer to a question about Jonathan Isaac’s decision not to kneel or wear a Black Lives Matter shirt, and if it can create conversations about different approaches to protesting: pic.twitter.com/Wsav4F1zLe
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) July 31, 2020
Garrett Temple’s take
Temple had a fair view of the situation and pointed out how he sees nothing wrong with Isaac viewing other forms of protest as more effective, as long as he doesn’t openly speak out against the fact black lives do in fact matter.
To be entirely fair, Isaac has the right to stand the same way the players have the right to take a knee. It is, however, fair to point out it was an odd sight to see him as the only one standing and without the “BLM” shirt on as well.
Isaac did go on to explain his move, but it was a jumbled explanation at that.
Magic forward Johnathan Isaac’s opening quotes pic.twitter.com/C5VL195NUc
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) July 31, 2020
It does appear Isaac is at least on board with the idea that racism is a problem. He himself is a young black man and citing religion in his reasoning is nothing to disrespect.
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Temple is 34 years old and is a well-traveled veteran of the game. His voice carries weight and the fact he didn’t bash Isaac shows he is willing to listen to all sides. Once again, as long as Isaac isn’t openly against the idea that there is racial inequality in the country. This whole situation may just be one young man failing to understand the moment, but still having good intentions.