The spread of the coronavirus pandemic that forced the NBA to discontinue the game three or more months ago will be the league’s main target in an attempt to restart and end the 2019-20 season this summer.
But even the conversations and initiatives on racial injustice will be at the forefront of the return.
Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle, also president of the National Basketball Coaches Association, spoke at length on Wednesday, the first day of Dallas mandatory training, about his work with the NBCA and Dallas to promote equality.
Carlisle said he “will support our players 100%” if they choose to demonstrate during the national anthem or otherwise express their beliefs during the reboot near Orlando. Director General Donnie Nelson also used most of his opening statement to reflect on the NBA’s responsibility to pursue progress.
Their comments during press conferences on the Zoom video platform underscored the unprecedented nature of NBA operations and likely offered a preview of how Mavericks and NBA members will use centralized reboot as a platform to tackle racial inequalities. .
“Racial injustice … is fundamental in all our minds,” said Nelson. “As everyone knows, we have come a long way, but we still have a long way to go, and this has never been more evident in terms of recent developments. As a country, as a community, as an individual across the board, I think we have an incredible platform with which [we] it can bring to the fore some problems of primary importance for all of us.
“We all have to look individually internally: what can we do better? We have to hold each other accountable and there is really nothing more important to us as a league, team and individually. “
Carlisle began his first press conference since March 11 – when the NBA announced his suspension during Mavericks-Nuggets – by tackling the basics.
He stressed his “great expectation” of returning to basketball after a long layoff, gave positive updates on the rehabilitation progress for Dwight Powell (right Achilles tendon) and Jalen Brunson (right shoulder) and minimized the oddity of getting ready to play. in decisive matches especially empty arenas.
But then Carlisle paused and changed the subject, unsolicited. He wanted to highlight the initiatives of the association of coaches.
Carlisle worked with eight coaches, led by Hawks ‘coach Lloyd Pierce and including Warriors’ Spurs Gregg Popovich and Steve Kerr, to form a racial justice committee. The group helped write the NBCA statement in the wake of protests over the death of George Floyd, condemning police brutality and racism and plans several long-term goals.
The organization has consulted the lawyer and founder of the Equal Justice Initiative Bryan Stevenson and plans to hold discussions on town hall with national TV experts.
Carlisle also worked on local issues.
He, assistant coaches Jamahl Mosley and Stephen Silas and Powell teamed up with Dallas Mothers Against Police Brutality to speak with local leaders, including Mayor Eric Johnson and police chief Renee Hall.
The NBA plans to paint “Black Lives Matter” on the Walt Disney World Resort playgrounds, Carlisle said, and several outlets have reported that the NBA could allow for social justice messages on players’ shirts.
“This is a daunting task,” said Carlisle. “It can never happen overnight, but the conversation must continue and we must continue to work in our local markets … with local authorities, local leaders and go from there.”
The Mavericks have not met in person as a team since their March 11 victory over the Nuggets. Training before the team leaves for Orlando on July 8 will still be limited, leaving details of the players’ chemistry on the pitch and the team’s operation on the Disney campus in question.
But Carlisle and Nelson’s speech on Wednesday foreshadowed a decided plan for this summer.
“This Orlando platform will be an excellent opportunity for us to talk about the history of racial injustice,” said Carlisle. “We plan to review it on a daily basis. … This is a great opportunity to continue this conversation about a problem that has lasted for over 400 years. “
