SportsPulse: USA TODAY Sports’ Mark Medina discusses the difficult decision players have to pick up on the season and how the teams have reacted to the few who have already given up.
USE TODAY
In just over a month, 22 of the NBA’s 30 teams will step onto the pitch and do something they haven’t done since mid-March. They will play in a basketball game.
With the NBA resuming the season amid a new coronavirus pandemic and protests against racial inequality, the league plans to do much more than determine its champion.
“It’s never a quiet and dribbling situation,” said Chris Paul, the Oklahoma City thunder guard and president of the NBA players’ union, in a conference call. “You will continue to hear us.”
How will the NBA and its players ensure that their voices are heard? NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, NBPA Executive Director Michele Roberts, Paul and first NBPA Vice President Andre Iguodala did not share the final plans. However, they did offer some clues.
GOING FORWARD: Silver, Paul calls on the NBA to improve diversity in hiring
PROGRAM: NBA releases a series of seeding games to end the regular season
Silver said the NBA created a foundation “to expand educational and economic opportunities across the black community.” Silver and Paul have promised that the league will improve its hiring practices for blacks, women and other minorities for front office and coaching positions. The NBA and NBPA announced this week that “they are both committed to promoting an environment that encourages frank conversations between players and league and team leadership and the search for tangible and sustainable ways to tackle racial inequality across the country”.
It is not immediately clear whether the NBA will allow players, coaches and staff members to protest during the national anthem. Or if NBA teams will wear the Black Lives Matters slogans on the shirt as the English Premier League. Or as guest speakers the NBA will invite to ESPN’s Wide World of Sports complex.
“I won’t tell you very specifically, but there is such an opportunity for our players to both learn and teach and to promote and advance,” said Roberts. “This is truly a unique opportunity in life.”
USA TODAY Sports’ Mark Medina analyzes the details of the NBA bubble in Orlando.
USE TODAY
Almost two weeks ago, some NBA players expressed concern if this was the right opportunity to pursue.
Brooklyn star Nets Kyrie Irving, who is also a member of the NBPA executive committee, conducted a teleconference in which she expressed concern that a resurgence of the NBA season would distract from efforts to address racial inequality and police brutality. Los Angeles Lakers Dwight Howard center, Lakers guard Avery Bradley and Clippers guard Lou Williams expressed similar sentiments.
This week, a handful of players have decided not to participate in the resumption of the season, including Washington striker Wizards Davis Bertans, Portland Trail Blazers and striker Trevor Ariza and Bradley. Bertans opted for accident prevention by joining his free agency. Ariza wants to take advantage of her one-month custody with her 12-year-old son. And Bradley expressed concern about his six-year-old’s breathing problems.
“Show me a league where everyone has the same views,” said Paul. “We have 450 players. It is always difficult to be on the same page. But one thing is that we have learned to communicate better. None of us are perfect. But what we are learning is when we communicate with each other. The guys who choose to play, we support and we support those who don’t play. “
Either way, most NBA players have decided to participate in the resumption of the season. During the league hiatus, players made various efforts to deal with racial injustice.
They posted various messages on social media denouncing law enforcement for killing unarmed blacks, including George Floyd, Rayshard Brooks, Breonna Taylor and Elijah McClain. Many NBA players have participated in peaceful protests, including Malcolm Brogdon of Indiana, Jaylen Brown of Boston, Karl-Anthony Towns of Minnesota, D’Angelo Russell and Josh Okogie, Danny Green of the Lakers, Trae Young of Atlanta and Tobias Harris of Philadelphia. LeBron James formed a group to tackle voter repression and increase voter turnout to the black community. Timberwolves and Lakers have added various programs to address racial justice programs between their players and staff.
“I can’t imagine anything healthier than that,” said Roberts. “I would have been ashamed if there had been a conversation that the players said about returning to play and nothing else. Frankly as an African American woman, I would have been disappointed. I know these men. There was a nice conversation and we are continuing the conversation “.
Follow USA NBA writer Mark Medina TODAY on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
