Spurs rookie no fan of 4th of July
Lonnie Walker IV made a different kind of fireworks on his Fourth of July.
The Spurs rookie drew a lot of attention when he tweeted Wednesday that he did not celebrate the holiday. Walker’s implication, it seems, is the holiday does not observe independence for all Americans.
“Will never celebrate the 4th of July,” he wrote. “Know your history and stay woke.”
Walker’s remarks drew a predictably polarizing mix of reactions, with some telling him to simply focus on playing basketball and others defending his right to speak freely.
The tweet picked up steam after ESPN business reporter Darren Rovell shamed him by linking his statement, which did not have anything to do with the troops, with the service members in Texas. Shortly afterward, Walker deleted the tweet.
“Probably not the best take from the Spurs draft pick in the state that has the second largest group of active and reserve members of the military in the United States,” Rovell wrote.
Walker decided this controversy wasn’t one worth fighting. Yet, he’s increasingly becoming known for his opinions — this one more serious, others more bizarre.
At the NBA combine, Walker one-upped Kyrie Irving and called the Earth an “illusion”; he’s also ques- tioned the moon landing.
The former Miami player also has denounced the practice of dolphin shows, recently earning him applause from PETA.
Walker, who finished with seven points in his first summer-league game on Monday night, will be an interesting one to watch — and listen to — this season.