The Phoenix Suns beat the San Antonio Spurs 110-102 as the NBA Playoffs continue to move toward the finals, and fans and sports commentators alike were talking about the meaning of the “Los Suns” jerseys worn by the team.
The team wore the “Los Suns,” instead of their standard jerseys, on Cinco de Mayo to show that they back the Hispanic community against the controversial Arizona immigration law recently passed.
“We think it’s appropriate what the Suns are doing,” NBA Commissioner David Stern said on the NBA’s official website.
Critics of the bill say it will enable racial profiling. Throughout the US, thousands of people, from California to as far away as New York City, marched and protested the bill.
On Wednesday, President Barack Obama referenced the jerseys. “I know that a lot of you would rather be watching tonight’s game—the Spurs against ‘Los Suns’ from Phoenix,” he said.
The wearing of the “Los Suns” jerseys was backed by Suns’ owner Robert Sarver as well as by several players on the team.
“Obviously the passing of the recent bill and what that means to our state, to civil liberties, and the quality and precedent it’s setting, and message it sends to our youngsters in the community, we have a problem with that,” said point guard and team captain Steve Nash. “It’s great that our owner took the initiative and our players are behind him.”
On TNT’s coverage after the game, the commentators had some heated words towards Arizona’s immigration law.
Charles Barkley, a former Suns player himself, took the battle to Republican Senator John McCain.
[b]Suns Not Distracted, Cruise Over Spurs[/b]
The jersey change wasn’t too much of a distraction for the other players on the team. The Suns dispatched the Spurs in the fourth quarter.
A longtime rival of the Suns over the past decade, the Spurs weren’t able to get to the board and nab rebounds. The Suns out-rebounded the Spurs 49-37 and got 18 offensive rebounds.
The series will switch over to San Antonio’s home court on Friday.
The team wore the “Los Suns,” instead of their standard jerseys, on Cinco de Mayo to show that they back the Hispanic community against the controversial Arizona immigration law recently passed.
“We think it’s appropriate what the Suns are doing,” NBA Commissioner David Stern said on the NBA’s official website.
Critics of the bill say it will enable racial profiling. Throughout the US, thousands of people, from California to as far away as New York City, marched and protested the bill.
On Wednesday, President Barack Obama referenced the jerseys. “I know that a lot of you would rather be watching tonight’s game—the Spurs against ‘Los Suns’ from Phoenix,” he said.
The wearing of the “Los Suns” jerseys was backed by Suns’ owner Robert Sarver as well as by several players on the team.
“Obviously the passing of the recent bill and what that means to our state, to civil liberties, and the quality and precedent it’s setting, and message it sends to our youngsters in the community, we have a problem with that,” said point guard and team captain Steve Nash. “It’s great that our owner took the initiative and our players are behind him.”
On TNT’s coverage after the game, the commentators had some heated words towards Arizona’s immigration law.
Charles Barkley, a former Suns player himself, took the battle to Republican Senator John McCain.
[b]Suns Not Distracted, Cruise Over Spurs[/b]
The jersey change wasn’t too much of a distraction for the other players on the team. The Suns dispatched the Spurs in the fourth quarter.
A longtime rival of the Suns over the past decade, the Spurs weren’t able to get to the board and nab rebounds. The Suns out-rebounded the Spurs 49-37 and got 18 offensive rebounds.
The series will switch over to San Antonio’s home court on Friday.
