No matter what, the NBPA vows to continue to amplify the voices of its members as they fight for reform.
NBA players will soon all be back in their home markets as they prepare to resume team-organized activities, and the June 24 deadline by which each player must decide whether they will play or not is nigh.
Based on social media and statements released by individual players, it seems that there isn’t a consensus among the players as to whether or not returning to play basketball this season is actually the right decision. Some players — most notably Kyrie Irving and Dwight Howard — feel that returning to play basketball would have an adverse effect on the continued efforts of Black rights advocates in their pursuit for justice against police brutality.
At this point, each individual player has the right to determine whether they want to play or not, and even Commissioner Adam Silver says he would respect the decision of any player who opts to sit out.
The day after, the NBA Players Association released a statement in which it promised to continue to support its players as they attempt to effectuate change. As an organization, the NBPA has vowed to continue to do the same.
In part, the statement released by the union states the following:
We have always supported civil rights organizations like the Legal Defense Fund, Chicago Votes, Bronx Defenders, Brooklyn Defenders, National Museum of African American History and Culture and more. The NBPA will deepen its commitment to social justice by increasing our support for similar organizations that are focused on ending police brutality, addressing voter suppression and supporting economic development. We will continue to match players’ philanthropic contributions and will work to develop a leadership education series to support player efforts to advance justice.
The statement in its entirety can be read at NBPA.com.
