De’Aaron Fox: NBA restart represents ‘iconic moment’ for sports in fight for equality
Certain moments in history have presented sports with the power and a platform to change the world in remarkable ways.
In 1936, Jesse Owens sailed to Berlin on the SS Manhattan and won four Olympic gold medals, a feat that defied Hitler’s myth of a master race. In 1947, Jackie Robinson broke baseball’s color barrier. In 1968, Tommie Smith and John Carlos stood atop the medal stand at the Mexico City Olympics, thrusting black-gloved fists in the air during The Star-Spangled Banner to raise international awareness of racial inequality.
The NBA has arrived at such a moment as it resumes the 2019-20 season following months of unrest over racial injustice and police brutality in the United States. Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox can feel it. San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich senses it, too.
“I definitely believe that,” Popovich said.
The whole world is watching and the message is clear: Black lives matter.
“I think this is definitely one of those moments,” Fox said. “Obviously, we all remember those iconic moments. I think in 30, 40, 50 years, people are going to remember this.”
All 22 teams kneeled for the national anthem before each game over the first two days of play at Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, where the NBA season has resumed after a 140-day shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. Players and coaches are wearing Black Lives Matter T-shirts during warmups. Most players have replaced the nameplates on their jerseys with social justice messages such as Freedom, Equality, Say Their Names and I Can’t Breathe. They are bringing attention to the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and others who have died needlessly at the hands of police.
“It’s a once in a lifetime moment,” Kings guard Kent Bazemore said. “It’s a big opportunity for us to really make some real change and to have dialogue nationally about some of the things we feel, both personally and collectively.”
These conversations can be uncomfortable, but this is happening at a time when America’s understanding of the Black Lives Matter movement seems to be improving. White kids in the suburbs are marching for Black kids in the city. Maybe grownups whose lives are bombarded with divisive political rhetoric are even finding they can support the brave men and women of law enforcement while opposing police brutality.
Nobody has to take a political loss for America to offer liberty and justice for all. It’s already in the pledge.
‘A national sin’
Not everyone wants to hear this. The other day, a reader left an angry voicemail message in response to a story in The Sacramento Bee.
“I don’t want to see social justice messages at any sporting event,” he said. “I don’t want to hear that bulls---. You got that, d---head?”
That guy probably isn’t watching NBA basketball this weekend, but millions are tuning in. TNT’s ratings for Thursday’s doubleheader were up 109% over average viewership, according to Warner Media. Broadcasts include video montages featuring players discussing social issues. Players are speaking out and much of America is listening.
“It’s the biggest thing we can do right now, to be 100% truthful as to how we feel about certain things, and guys are speaking up,” said Bazemore, who is promoting education reform. “You’ve seen guys have these interviews and talk about Breonna Taylor. There are things guys have done to really show that, hey, we are going to be part of today’s change, so I’m really proud of these guys. … We’re standing up for what we believe in.”
Popovich, a 71-year-old Air Force veteran, and assistant coach Becky Hammon chose to stand when the Kings and Spurs took a knee during the national anthem before their game Friday. Popovich politely declined to explain his decision after the game, but in response to a question from The Bee before the game he encouraged player demonstrations while delivering a blistering rebuke of racism and injustice.
“While we’re here, considering what’s going on in our country with race, it’s always been our national sin and it’s always been something that has never been faced as well as it should have been,” Popovich said. “With the events that we’ve all witnessed in this last year, it’s just logical and wise to keep that momentum going and try to keep this on the front burner because it is a national embarrassment. It keeps us from being the country that we should be or the country that was promised to everyone, and nothing could be more poignant than to have all of the teams here, all committed to making statements and letting it be known that this has got to change, and not just a little bit.”
Sports can unite us
The Kings have been part of this conversation for some time. They emerged as an ally to the Black Lives Matter movement after protesters blocked access to Golden 1 Center following the death of Stephon Clark, who was fatally shot by Sacramento police in March 2018.
In June, assistant coach Bobby Jackson, one of the most beloved players in team history, helped organize a Black Lives Matter march in Sacramento. Numerous members of the organization participated, including owner Vivek Ranadive, general manager Vlade Divac, coach Luke Walton, his family and players such as Fox, Harrison Barnes and Bogdan Bogdanovic.
“A change needs to happen and the way I was raised you stand up for what you believe in,” Walton said. “The players, more so now than ever, have a platform to speak and we encourage our players as individuals to stand up for what they believe in.
“We want to make sure our players know we’re supportive. We don’t force anyone to say anything, but for whatever points need to be made, we’re here for them, and I think we all agree there’s a lot of change that needs to happen for us to continue moving in the right direction.”
Barnes has been one of the team’s most outspoken players. When he was first made available to the media after joining the team in the NBA bubble, he was asked what the previous three weeks were like as he tried to clear COVID-19 protocols after contracting the virus. In response to that first question, Barnes steered the discussion toward social justice.
“I think first and foremost, I want to acknowledge the families and loved ones of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Elijah McClain and all those who have lost their lives at the hands of police as a result of systematic racism and violence,” Barnes said. “I think the opportunity to play here in Orlando is a great platform for us to be able to speak out on these issues, so I’m thrilled to just be here with my teammates and support that cause.”
So say their names. Hear their stories. Understand why their lives matter. Know that you can respect and support law enforcement while opposing the use of excessive force.
If you think back to any ballpark, football field or basketball court from your youth, you know sports have always had the power to unite us. We were just kids who loved the game.
Now, after months of isolation and unrest, basketball is back. So love the game. Love each other. Maybe someday we’ll remember this as one of those moments that changed the world.
This story was originally published August 2, 2020 at 4:00 AM.
