Russell Westbrook‘s return to the practice court Wednesday with the Houston Rockets also served as his first widespread media availability since the 2019-20 NBA season was suspended in March.
While much of the session was focused around basketball topics and his recovery from COVID-19, another discussion point was the growing U.S. social justice movement and Westbrook’s personal role.
When asked about his increasing voice on racial issues, Westbrook called on NBA owners to help support the Black Lives Matter movement.
I believe the owners play a huge part. Obviously, owning the teams and knowing our league is predominantly black. I think it’s important that our owners understand all the social injustices that go on in today’s society, how it impacts each one of our communities, where we grew up, for them to be able to show their support.
Not just for our team, but for the black community, because I believe it goes a long way for players like myself in this league to know that you have owners and people you play for on your side. Understanding how important it is to represent the black community.
Following the death of George Floyd in late May, Westbrook has taken on an increasingly active role as the movement has grown. In June, he spoke at a Black Lives Matter protest near his hometown of Los Angeles, and he later participated in a virtual Tulsa Juneteenth rally. That city is close to Westbrook’s initial NBA home of Oklahoma City.
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Earlier this week, the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) announced that it was partnering with Westbrook’s Honor the Gift clothing line to design social justice shirts that could be worn by players at the NBA “bubble,” as the league approaches its restart. Westbrook wore one of those shirts during his media availability on Wednesday.
Russell Westbrook wearing one of his social injustice t-shirts. The shirt honors Eric Garner, Sandra Bland, George Floyd, Tamir Rice, etc… pic.twitter.com/9ytvEq6iC4
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) July 22, 2020
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As for the owner of Westbrook’s own team, the Houston Rockets, Tilman Fertitta said in early June that he supported the protests and vowed to be a leader on issues of racism and police brutality.
“There is racism,” Fertitta said. “There is police brutality. I will use my leadership and my resources and my place in this city to not just point out the problem, but to be part of the solution.”
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Westbrook has plenty of leverage and a large platform as a nine-time NBA All-Star and the league’s 2017 MVP, and he’s using that to help ensure that NBA owners continue that commitment in the months ahead.
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