LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Before taking a shot, bouncing a ball or drawing up a play, the NBA’s players, coaches and referees performed another …
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Before taking a shot, bouncing a ball or drawing up a play, the NBA’s players, coaches and referees performed another gesture that highlighted their aspirations go beyond resuming the season during the coronavirus pandemic. All players and coaches with the New Orleans Pelicans and Utah Jazz wore « Black Lives Matter » shirts and locked arms while the NBA played a public service announcement about systemic racism. Then they all knelt during the national anthem to protest systemic racism ahead of their game Thursday at HP Field House at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex. Team staff members and officials joined them, too. Although they have not shared specifics, the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers also planned to protest before their game later Thursday. It seemed fitting to kneel on a court that had « Black Lives Matter » insignia on the side closest to the scorer’s table. « As coaches, we’re here to support the players, » Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said before the game. « It’s their platform and I think you’ll see the coaches will support the players because I think it’s very important to put on a united front. We’re going to back the players with anything they’re going to do from a social justice standpoint. I also think it’s very important because it’s the first game being played.
