Obama commends NBA for boycotting games after Jacob Blake shooting

President Barack Obama has commended the Milwaukee Bucks and NBA for postponing games following the shooting of Jacob Blake. Two Wisconsin police officers shot Blake multiple times in the back as he entered the driver's side door of his vehicle. Blake's three children—aged 3, 5, and 8—were in the car at the time.

Blake is in stable condition in an intensive care unit, according to attorney Ben Crump, though it is feared that he may be paralyzed. The officers have been placed on leave as state authorities investigate the incident. 

On Wednesday, the Milwaukee Bucks decided not to take the floor against the Orlando Magic in protest of the shooting. Following the move by the Bucks, several other teams joined them in solidarity. Three WNBA, five Major League Soccer and three Major League Baseball games were also postponed.

Players from the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers have reportedly vote to boycott the remainder of the season in response. 

President Barack Obama took to Twitter to praise the players and the NBA over the move. He wrote:  "I commend the players on the @Bucks for standing up for what they believe in, coaches like @DocRivers, and the @NBA and @WNBA for setting an example. It’s going to take all our institutions to stand up for our values."

LeBron James also supported the move, simply writing: "F**K THIS MAN!!!! WE DEMAND CHANGE. SICK OF IT."

LeBron James, an avid supporter of Black Lives Matter, is one of those to have spoken out over the shooting. On Monday, the basketball star wrote on Twitter: "And y’all wonder why we say what we say about the Police!! Someone, please tell me WTF is this???!!! Exactly another black man being targeted. This shit is so wrong and so sad!! Feel so sorry for him, his family, and OUR PEOPLE!! We want JUSTICE."

President Donald Trump has attempted to reach out to Julia Jackson, the mother of Jacob Blake. Jackson said that she missed the call and has the "utmost" respect for Trump.