The NBA has long been supportive of its players taking political stances, and that will be on full display during the Orlando resumption.
Working with the NBPA, the league has agreed to paint “Black Lives Matter” on its game courts as well as permit the league’s players to replace the last name of their jersey with a message or phrase that calls attention to initiatives or reforms that an individual player may hold near and dear.
On Friday, Marc Spears of ESPN’s TheUndefeated reported that the league and the union collectively agreed on a set of phrases that could be printed on the back of jerseys, including:
Black Lives Matter; Say Their Names; Vote; I Can’t Breathe; Justice; Peace; Equality; Freedom; Enough; Power to the People; Justice Now; Say Her Name; Sí Se Puede (Yes We Can); Liberation; See Us; Hear Us; Respect Us; Love Us; Listen; Listen to Us; Stand Up; Ally; Anti-Racist; I Am A Man; Speak Up; How Many More; Group Economics; Education Reform; and Mentor.
On Tuesday, Spears reported that Paul decided to go with “EQUALITY” as his message.
Thunder guard and @NBPA president Chris Paul will have “EQUALITY” on the back of his jersey during the NBA re-start in Orlando, a source told @TheUndefeated. pic.twitter.com/gcg7zPkGTx
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) July 8, 2020
Spears pointed out that using social justice messages were optional and that players would be free to make their own choices. At this point, though, Paul joins a growing list of players that includes Rudy Gobert and CJ McCollum to take elect to display a special message.
Some of the social justice messages players will be wearing on the back of their jerseys.
(via @ChrisBHaynes, @NBAonTNT) pic.twitter.com/0EXFN2Yv2O
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) July 8, 2020
The Thunder will arrive in Orlando on July 8 before playing their first exhibition game against the Boston Celtics on July 24.
They will begin playing their eight regular-season games on Aug. 1 — the third day of competition after the league officially resumes on July 30.