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The garbage, in his words, is the recycled spectacle of American electoral politics. Whether it’s Trump or Biden, Obama or Bush, Hodges believes the real decision-makers wear tailored suits on Wall Street — not the White House. “To me, Trump and Biden? It’s a uniparty. Two wings of the same bird,” Hodges said. “And the bird don’t fly for us.” That’s not a new theme in his rhetoric. He’s been speaking this truth since his NBA days — when he tried to organize players into a collective consciousness of activism and economic self-determination. Now, in 2025, with disinformation rampant and trust in institutions crumbling, Hodges feels vindicated. “We’ve been losing jobs since we’ve been in America, shit!” he says, voice rising. “When we were fully employed, y’all didn’t have a problem with us — because we were totally enslaved.”
His frustration extends to the Democratic establishment — especially President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. “They won’t step up to the plate and say that this dude is incompetent from Day 1,” Hodges said of Biden. “We can’t say that because it’s ‘politically incorrect.’ And then you wanna give me Kamala Harris? Nah, man.” He doesn’t blame the system for being what it is. He blames us — for still expecting it to save us. “We didn’t say Democrats and Republicans we want y’all to sit down and listen to what we need over here… but we ain’t unified like that.” Unity, for Hodges, is the missing piece. It’s not about waiting for another Barack or denouncing another Trump. It’s about organization, ownership, and truth-telling. Even when it’s uncomfortable. Especially when it is. “It’s a game, man,” Hodges said one more time, with a sigh. “And I hope we can see where we sit — because it’s getting ready to get REALLY hectic.”
For Hodges, the American economy has never been for Black folks. From slavery to sharecropping, from redlining to underfunded schools, he sees a nation addicted to Black labor — and allergic to Black power. So when Trump sat with billionaires and signed executive orders, Hodges didn’t flinch. He just asked, “Why didn’t Barack do the same for us?” “I ain’t saying I support Trump,” Hodges clarified. “I’m saying look at what he’s allowed to do — because of who he answers to. It’s billionaires sitting around the table with him, man!” That’s the deeper wound for Hodges. Not just that power is corrupt, but that even so-called “Black excellence” hasn’t figured out how to truly claim it. “You look at where the money lies and everyone knows. Everyone is afraid,” he said. “If we were to be organized, we would have a political faction, a financial establishment, a generation of young men and women who are capable of being politically powerful.”
Asked what Trump’s government should focus on regarding sports and media content, Silver expressed how vital freedom of expression is. "There are lessons that have been learned from President Trump’s first term, as well as from President Biden’s time in office. It’s worth noting that several of Trump’s supporters are influential figures in major media platforms. I believe the direction for the United States should involve re-emphasizing the importance of freedom of expression, and this extends to NBA players voicing their political opinions,” said Silver.
Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Lionel Messi will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom during a ceremony on Saturday at the White House. President Joe Biden will bestow the honor to 19 of the most famous names in politics, sports, entertainment, civil rights, LGBTQ+ advocacy and science.
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Cuban joined the latest episode of The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart and during the interview, he was asked about potentially taking on a larger political role. According to Cuban, he doesn’t consider himself a viable political player, which prompted Stewart to ask whether being around the Kamala Harris campaign further cemented his desire to avoid running for office. “I loved it,” Cuban insisted of campaigning for Harris. “It wasn’t that, it’s my family. I mean, look at all the sh*t that they did to JD Vance. I don’t want my kids hearing about me f***ing a couch!” To be clear, that wasn’t an admission from Cuban that he did f*** a couch. It was a reference to the false rumor that spread over the summer, which claimed Vance’s 2016 memoir included a passage about the time he had sex with a couch.
Noa Dalzell: Joe Mazzulla asked if Joe Biden mentioning the Celtics had the highest ever points per possession got him going: “A little bit — we were also good defensively.” Why didn’t you remind him of that? “It wasn’t the time or place, I guess.”
Wyc Grousbeck on Celtics sale: It's underway, there's a lot of interest
Boston Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck, whose family is in the middle of selling its controlling stake in the franchise, said Thursday that not only does he continue to plan to run the team for the next three years, but he believes they could repeat as champions this season. "It's underway. There's a lot of interest," Grousbeck said of the sale on a conference call with reporters after a ceremony with President Joe Biden on the White House's South Lawn to celebrate the team's record-setting 18th NBA championship.
The Boston Celtics traveled to the White House on Thursday to meet with President Joe Biden and celebrate the team’s 18th NBA championship. The 2023-24 Celtics roster, coaching staff, and ownership group were on hand at the South Lawn for Thursday’s event. Even Oshae Brissett, who is no longer on Boston’s roster, was on hand for the event and received his championship ring.
After the Celtics lined up on the stage, President Biden opened the festivities with an address. “All of you may not know this, but my Secret Service name is Celtic. For real, because I’m Irish,” Biden said. “Everybody behind me is Irish in their heart. I feel a special pride in this trophy for this old Irish Celtic. To all you Celtics: congratulations.”
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Biden also concluded with a history lesson, noting that it was John F. Kennedy who was the first president to host an NBA champion when the Celtics visited in 1963. “Part of that wonderful tradition celebrating the power of sports to bring people together. It’s a tradition that I’ve had the honor to continue. No matter the sport. What these champions all have in common are core values … Hard work, teamwork, respect, and the knowledge that no one of us is ever as good as all of us can be when we’re together.”
Celtics will visit the White House on Thursday
The Boston Celtics are expected to travel to the White House to celebrate the 2024 NBA championship on Thursday afternoon. That’s according to the Office of Massachusetts Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg, who is scheduled to attend the event. Goldberg’s public schedule lists her attending the Celtics’ championship celebration at the White House at 4:30pm ET on Thursday.
Joe Arruda: Donovan Clingan, Stephon Castle, Cam Spencer and Tristen Newton present Joe Biden his second UConn jersey.
Donovan Clingan, Stephon Castle, Cam Spencer and Tristen Newton present Joe Biden his second UConn jersey. pic.twitter.com/tFa9FNWvIP
— Joe Arruda (@joearruda9) September 10, 2024
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