The Bucks' Mike Budenholzer said silence and being comfortable are no longer an option for himNBAE/GETTY IMAGES
At Hawks coach Lloyd Pierce's urging, previously reluctant white coaches are "considering how to pace the sidelines as allies" when it comes to issues involving social justice, according to Candace Buckner of the WASHINGTON POST. Raptors coach Nick Nurse said, "Basically we're trying to do more than have statements. We're really trying to come up with some plans of action and get out there and move, and I've been impressed as hell with these guys." Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said that he is "in the same place: pushing himself to speak out, even if it doesn't come naturally." He added, "It's what people are saying: Silence is not an option. Being comfortable is probably not an option. I've got to be uncomfortable. I've got to speak, and I think you're going to see that from all NBA coaches." Buckner notes white men make up 70% of the head coaches in the NBA, while about 74% of the players identified as Black/African American at the start of the '19-20 season. Warriors coach Steve Kerr said, "The questions aren't always easy. The main thing is I want to be an ally to people who I care about, and I want to make sure that I'm educating myself all the time. Some people are going to compliment, other people are going to criticize, and it's all part of it" (WASHINGTON POST, 7/29).
VOTE AT THE COURT: In Miami, Anthony Chiang notes Heat coach Erik Spoelstra "joined other NBA coaches whose teams are participating in the restart, wearing a 'Coaches for Racial Justice' pin on his polo for Saturday's scrimmage." Spoelstra said, "This is a symbol that we want to wear. It's a bigger pin than you would typically wear because we want this conversation to continue to happen." Spoelstra also revealed that the Heat had "petitioned the city of Miami to use AmericanAirlines Arena as a voting site for the upcoming elections." The Hawks, Pistons and Bucks also have "offered their facilities as a potential voting site." Spoelstra said of the effort, "We think it would be terrific for the city, for our community" (MIAMI HERALD, 7/26). In Atlanta, Sarah Spencer noted Pierce over the past few months "has led the NBA coaches in focusing on sustainable action they can take" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 7/24).
