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Players link arms before a preseason game in Houston.
Photo by: NBAE / GETTY IMAGES
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Editor’s note: This story is revised from the print edition.
The first week of NBA preseason brought no national anthem player protests, and now some teams and players are finalizing a series of community events aimed at addressing social issues, including race.
Through Oct. 5, the league had played 20 preseason games with no anthem player protests. In many games players linked arms as a sign of unity during the anthem.
While that trend could change, the NBA and its players continue to focus on actions beyond symbolic gestures toward specific programs in their local markets.
“A lot of teams are having conversations with their players not only to implement the programs but on other ideas and other partnerships that the players feel strongly about,” said Kathy Behrens, president of social responsibility and player programs for the NBA.
As outlined by Behrens, the league, players union and NBA players have worked together to identify three areas to focus on their social awareness efforts: holding community conversations, building bridges through basketball, and mentoring and economic empowerment.
Teams such as the Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers and Charlotte Hornets have solidified community-related events.
The Hornets plan to have a community conversation event between a number of players and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. Each Saturday in November, the Lakers will host police officers and children at the team’s practice facility. In addition, on Oct. 21, the Lakers are planning a community conversation event with players and local police at a local Boys & Girls Club.
On Oct. 25, the Bulls are partnering with the Chicago Police Department and the local Youth Guidance organization’s “Becoming A Man” program to host a youth basketball tournament for local kids. The league said the goal of the events is to engage youth, law enforcement and community leaders, and identify ways to create stronger and safer communities.
Other teams are in discussions with their players about plans of action or ways they can get involved and effect change.
“We have had conversations with our players and given them the organization’s support in terms of community programs that we can help get them involved,” said Alex Martins, Orlando Magic CEO. “I do think most of our guys would rather initiate change and discussion through community programming.”
The community events come after the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association sent a letter to players on Sept. 21 that pledged that they will work together to develop substantive ways to take meaningful action related to social issues.