BLM in the NBA - A List of NBA Players Who Have Joined Protests
With little debate, the NBA, time and time again have been deemed as the most progressive sports league in the world. Not only now, in light of the George Floyd - Black Lives Matter movement in the past month, but this has been an occurring theme for most of the NBA's history.
This is a topic that is easily bigger than basketball, now more than ever. Suddenly, the league going at a halt due to the Coronavirus matters less for everyone, for good reason.
The NBA, having been established in 1946, drafted their first African-American player by the name of Chuck Cooper in the second round of the 1950 draft by the Boston Celtics, making it the third professional sports league on US soil to draft an African-American behind Kenny Washington of the NFL in 1940, and Jackie Robinson of the MLB in 1947, all legends in their respective sports.
As of 2015, according to racial equality activist Richard Lapchick, the NBA composes of 74.4% of black players, making it a vast majority of the league.
The league also is less restricted to social matters, has given NBA players a great platform to fight for social justice freely, to the influence of their over 40M fans globally.
The fight for racial equality in the NBA has always been prevalent, though none stronger than the recent 'Black Lives Matter' or BLM movement in recent years, spanning back since 2012.
The Miami Heat posted photos in 2012 of the team wearing hoodies to commemorate the death of Trayvon Martin.
A majority of the league wore the "I Can't Breathe" shirts in 2014 to commemorate the deaths of Eric Garner, Michael Brown, among many cases against African-American directed police brutality, as seen on the photo above worn by LeBron James during warm-ups, among players such as Derrick Rose, Kobe Bryant, and others. It was a controversial statement at the time, there was a public outcry to 'stick to basketball' among other harmful remarks. The NBA Commissioner, Adam Silver responded by saying there will be no fines being made to any player wearing those shirts as he supports players voicing their opinions on social issues.
On May 25, 2020, a video of yet another example of blatant police brutality against George Floyd, having caused his death sparked an outcry all across America, and the world through protests, protests to encourage systemic reform in the justice, and police systems. The NBA has been a large voice in these recent protests, including the league itself, and a large number of players.
The NBA is setting an exemplary example to the world, we no longer live in a world where racism, among other social issues, were sweeper under the rug. For these players to take such great action, voicing out their opinions on social media and on joining the actual protests, this sets a great example to the new generation, not only for people of color but to educate children of all backgrounds not to discriminate anyone just because of how they look.
As this is still a developing story, at the moment, I would like to give my thanks to all the NBA players who have taken action during these trying times.
These players, coaches, and/or owners who have joined the protests or have spoken against the recent police brutality include the following:
1. Damian Lillard - Portland Trailblazers
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo - Milwaukee Bucks
3. Harrison Barnes - Sacramento Kings
4. Kyle Lowry - Toronto Raptors
5. Jaylen Brown - Boston Celtics
6. D'Angelo Russell - Minnesota Timberwolves
7. Karl Anthony Towns - Minnesota Timberwolves
8. Josh Okogie - Minnesota Timberwolves
9. Stephen Curry - Golden State Warriors
10. Enes Kanter - Boston Celtics
11. Marquese Chriss - Golden State Warriors
12. Juan Toscano Anderson - Golden State Warriors
13. Malcolm Brogdon - Indiana Pacers
14. Maxi Kleber - Dallas Mavericks
15. Dwight Powell - Dallas Mavericks
16. Justin Jackson - Dallas Mavericks
17. Jalen Brunson - Dallas Mavericks
18. Lonzo Ball - New Orleans Pelicans
19. Jordan Clarkson - Utah Jazz
20. LeBron James - Los Angeles Lakers
21. Tobias Harris - Philadelphia 76ers
22. Brad Stevens - Boston Celtics
23. Greg Popovich - San Antonio Spurs
24. Mark Cuban - Dallas Mavericks
I would like to mention the former NBA players that have also been very vocal:
1. Stephen Jackson
2. Michael Jordan
3. Matt Barnes
If I missed anyone, I apologize. Feel free to let me know of any names I missed. To all the African-Americans, and to any of the marginalized out there, my heart aches for you. We need equality as soon as possible.
To support the Black Lives Matter movement, even if you are not in the US like me, please sign these petitions:
1. Hands Up Act
10. For a real-time updated document for petitions check it out here
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