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Damian Lillard, Gregg Popovich Among Sports Figures Speaking Out On Election, Protests

Trail Blazers G Damian Lillard on Saturday "questioned the damage and violence taking place" in Portland during "anti-Donald Trump protests, saying it isn't the proper way to go about implementing change," according to Chris Haynes of ESPN.com. Lillard said, "It's very unfortunate that people have done some of the things they have done during the protest. A lot of harm and damage has been done. I do understand their frustration, and I commend people wanting to come together for some kind of change. Tearing apart your own city just isn't the place to begin, and also making your own city less of a safe place isn't the answer." Haynes noted Atlanta, N.Y., Chicago, L.A., DC, and Oakland are "some of the other major cities" with active protests. Police in Portland on Friday were "forced to use flash bangs and tear gas" to disperse protesters after "informing them that their assembly was ruled unlawful and they were subject to arrest." Early Saturday morning, one male protester was shot, and Lillard said the incident "lets you know it has gone too far" (ESPN.com, 11/12). 

POP SOUNDS OFF: Spurs coach Gregg Popovich on Friday said that he is "sick to his stomach" over the election, noting that it "reflects the bigotry of many Americans, something [that] disgusts him." Popovich: "Not basically because the Republicans won or anything, but the disgusting tenor and tone and all of the comments that have been xenophobic, homophobic, racist, misogynistic. I live in that country where half of the people ignored all of that to elect someone. That's the scariest part of the whole thing to me." He added, "I look at the Evangelicals and I wonder, those values don't mean anything to them? ... That's why I have great respect for people like [Republican U.S. Sens.] Lindsey Graham and John McCain, [Ohio Gov.] John Kasich, who I disagree with on a lot of political things, but they had enough fiber and respect for humanity and tolerance for all groups to say what they said about [Trump]." Popovich: "Now we see that he's already backing off of immigration and Obamacare and other things, so was it a big fake, which makes you feel it's even more disgusting and cynical that somebody would use that to get the base that fired up." More Popovich: "I'm a rich white guy. ... I can't imagine being a Muslim right now, or a woman, or an African American, a Hispanic, a handicapped person. How disenfranchised they might feel. ... My final conclusion is, my big fear is -- we are Rome" (MYSANANTONIO.com, 11/11).

COACH SPEAK: In N.Y., Scott Cacciola noted Warriors coach Steve Kerr and Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy "offered blistering critiques" of Trump last week, and Popovich’s comments "aligned closely with those made by Van Gundy." The question moving forward is whether these comments are "merely a visceral reaction to the presidential election or whether they will build into something more, emboldening those around the league to speak candidly about a host of political issues" (N.Y. TIMES, 11/13). The N.Y. Daily News' Mike Lupica said, "We've spent a lot of time over the past few months talking about protests of young African-American athletes across the country. Van Gundy is white and 57, and Popovich is white and 67. Both of them used the platform that big sports gives them in this country to raise big voices. They also showed, whether you agree with them or not, however you voted, that there are all different forms of protest in this country, and that not all of them are silent” (“The Sports Reporters,” ESPN, 11/13).

NOTHING'S CHANGING: ESPN.com's Ohm Youngmisuk cited sources as saying that NBA Commissioner Adam Silver "sent an email to NBA corporate offices worldwide shortly after the presidential election results to reiterate to NBA employees that the league's core values and commitment to equality and diversity haven't changed." Sources said that Silver's email was "not in any way making a statement about the election results." Silver "assured NBA employees that the league and its players will continue to work in communities to try to find a way to improve lives with the understanding that the nation had just emerged divided from a contentious election" (ESPN.com, 11/11).

THE KING'S SPEECH: Cavaliers F LeBron James said of Trump winning the election, "He's our president. No matter if you agree with it or disagree with it, he's the guy ... we all have to do our part." But James also added, "Our nation has never been built on one guy, anyway. ... This is the best country in the world, so we all have to do our part. It's not about [Trump] at all. Especially not for me and what I do" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 11/12). Meanwhile, in Cleveland, Chris Fedor noted James has "developed a friendship" with President Barack Obama over the years and "expects that relationship to continue after Obama leaves office." James: "Never in a million years did I think I would be this close with a President of the United States. ... We just have a real genuine relationship. We've got so many things in common we can talk about, not only from sports but community service and growing up in the inner city and figuring out ways that we can help the youth" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 11/12). THE VERTICAL's Michael Lee noted James has "vowed that he would continue his community involvement" throughout Trump's tenure. James: "We all have to figure out a way that we can better our country because we all know that and we all feel it" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 11/11). SI.com's Jonathan Jones wrote under the header, "Election Cycle Shows The Social Activism Gap Between NFL And NBA Stars" (SI.com, 11/11). 

COLLEGE COACHES SPEAK OUT: Louisville men’s basketball coach Rick Pitino said he has "problems" with Trump "like everybody does." But Pitino did say he is "going to support the president." Pitino: "Call up John McCain, apologize. ... everybody insulted needs an apology. Then you start fresh and get support" (CBSSPORTS.com, 11/12). Texas men’s basketball coach Shaka Smart said Trump's victory "feels like a slap in the face." Smart: "That's how some of (our players) felt. But you know what? We're going to have to move forward. They're not going to do another election. It is what it is, and we have to respond the right way" (CBSSPORTS.com, 11/12). Meanwhile, Under Armour Founder, Chair & CEO Kevin Plank said Trump is "going to be our president, and we all have to embrace it." Plank: "I hope it becomes a unifying moment for America. I know it feels like this has been a divisive campaign, and that’s really unfortunate and that’s the saddest thing about it. But I hope it proves to be unifying" (FOOTWEARNEWS.com, 11/9).

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