On March 25th, an African-American man by the name of George Floyd was killed while being in police custody. The cause of death was when officer Derek Chauvin put his knee on Floyd’s neck causing him to go unconscious and eventually passing away. This event has caused a lot of protests about racial injustice. With the NBA as a whole, they haven’t been shy about how they felt about the situation. This is how the NBA on all levels are combating racial injustice and honoring George Floyd.
The Death of George Floyd and the NBA
The Players
Both current and former NBA players have expressed their feelings about the situation and have gone as far as to march with the protesters. Some of the most vocal players that have walked with protesters are Trae Young, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, and Enes Kanter. Former NBA player Stephen Jackson also talked about his relationship with George Floyd, where he referred to him as his twin. LeBron James also spoke out against the injustice, as he has in the past as well. Even Michael Jordan has spoken out against this injustice by saying he felt angry about the situation. The impact the players have during these protests have shown how progressive the league is.
The Coaches
Just like the players, the coaches of the NBA have been very vocal about George Floyd. On June 1, 2020, the National Basketball Coaches Association sent out a statement about the matter. It was signed by every head and assistant coach in the NBA. One of the biggest coaches that have been vocal about George Floyd has been San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich. He went as far as to criticize the president by calling him deranged. The coaches have shown that they’re for change and are willing to fight alongside their players.
The Organizations
In the NBA, the teams and organizations have made statements about the death of George Floyd. Just like the players and coaches, the organizations have given their condolences to the Floyd family and are speaking out against racial injustice. One organization hasn’t had made a statement and that being the New York Knicks, and this is mainly because the owner James Dolan doesn’t want to be involved in political matters. This has faced criticism, but he has also done it with the Rangers of the NHL.
Final Thoughts
George Floyd’s death has sparked not only outrage but also a demand for change. Change in how the police handle situations and a change in the Justice system. Everyone on all levels of the NBA has stood up and is fighting against this type of injustice. If we continue these protests and if we continue to let our voices be heard we can all make a big impact and change America for the better.