Social awareness and the reaction to NFL and college football players protesting during the playing of the National Anthem continued to be a main topic of conversation in NBA training camps yesterday, and Knicks F Carmelo Anthony said he supports the "courage" that 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick had to take his stance "on the level that he's taking it," according to Al Iannazzone of NEWSDAY. Anthony, who along with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Paul addressed social awareness at this past summer's ESPY Awards, said, "A lot of people turned their back on him, was calling him all types of names, that he's stupid for doing what he was doing. ... I thought people thought that everybody was going to turn their back on him. I think it actually brought people closer to him and his message and his cause." He said any display he would make during the season would be part of something the Knicks are "going to do it as a unit" (NEWSDAY, 9/28). Warriors F Andre Iguodala said of Kaepernick, "The problem is no one wants to accept what he is saying. They want to be blind to the fact that we are treated this way. And when someone does stand up, they don't like the gesture or the way they're standing up. They're not getting to the actual issue" (THEUNDEFEATED.com, 9/27).
COME ONE, COME ALL: NBA Kings players yesterday said that they will "join other NBA teams and stand united over concerns of police brutality against African American men." In Sacramento, Jason Jones notes the players "remain committed that any symbolic gesture will be done as a team." Kings C DeMarcus Cousins: "Whatever it is, we'll do it as a team. It's much needed. We need to bring awareness to the situation and I'm all for it" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 9/28). Bucks F Jabari Parker said, "I just want to support what (Kaepernick) supports and his message is something that was heartfelt with police brutality and even with systematic racism." Bucks co-Owner Wes Edens on Monday said, "It's something to be addressed. With the team, it can be addressed in the community and that's what I'm really focused on" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 9/28). In Detroit, Jeff Seidel notes Pistons F Marcus Morris last week met with coach Stan Van Gundy and they "talked over some options" regarding the player's choice to protest. However, Van Gundy is "more concerned about what comes next." Van Gundy is "gently pushing Morris to become more involved and educated, to use his platform and try to make a difference beyond a protest." Van Gundy said to Morris, "There are a lot of activists working on these situations. You can join them and lend a voice and a stature of a professional athlete, or you can do something on your own." Van Gundy "offered to facilitate meetings with city leaders, police chiefs or different mayors" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 9/28).
THINKING ABOUT MOVING? Clippers G J.J. Redick on his eponymous podcast for The Vertical last week said, "You look into a country that has not as much history of racism, and you look into a country that maybe has better but gun-control laws, and you think about moving there. I'm being serious. I'm being dead serious." Paul said that there "needs to be more training required to become a police officer, and insisted that there are decipherable trends." Paul: "You can't explain all of these shootings. You can't just say it's coincidence and all the stuff like that." Redick added, "If we're in position to do good we should take advantage. The thing I struggle with, how do you go beyond the conversation? What Kaepernick is doing is great. You can argue all you want about whether it's disrespectful to the flag, I don't really care. I think it's really great" (LATIMES.com, 9/27).
