Former Houston Rockets basketball star Kenny Smith got up and abruptly walked off the set of TNT's "inside the NBA" last night in the middle of a panel discussion, according to ESPN.
It happened when the subject of the recent police shooting of Jacob Blake, in the Wisconsin town of Kenosha, was broached on air. The city has since broken out in riots.
Smith had been visibly disturbed during the course of the interview, and the look of consternation on his face doubled when they hit the sore spot, which was the Jacob Blake incident, only three days old. Smith had his turn to speak and said:
"This is tough. I mean, right now my head is ready to explode," Smith said. "Like, just in the thoughts of what's going on. I don't even know if I am even appropriate enough to say it, what the players are feeling and how they are feeling. I haven't talked to any of the players. Coming in and even driving here, getting into the studio, hearing calls and people talking."
He continued "And for me, I think the biggest thing now as a black man, as a former player, I think it's best for me to support the players and just not be here tonight."
Smith then proceeded to unplug his microphone, stand up and walk off the set without further comment. The show's host, Ernie Johnson, then told the audience that he respected the decision of Smith to walk out on the interview.
The NBA, as a show of respect, decided to postpone all of yesterday's scheduled games. In general, the whole organization is showing solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, but there are some conscientious objectors.
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