Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson reckons NBA players can return to the court and still be part of the fight for social justice in the U.S amid certain athletes calling for the 2019/20 season to be canceled.
The five-time NBA champion discussed the ongoing issues during the NBA Together Virtual Roundtable Session on Twitter featuring NBA commissioner Adam Silver, Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, and host Caron Butler on Tuesday. He urged players to use the platform they’ve been given to combat racial injustice, as he believes they can be even more instrumental while playing.
“I think that it can give it even some more juice because of the big platform that the players have in the NBA,” Johnson said, per Yahoo Sports. “I think that the guys have to understand that this is a chance for the guys, for them to sit down together and bring about change and how they can do that as a group.
“They can do it as an individual and in their own cities and states that they play in or live in. But also too, they can together and say, ‘Let’s support this group or let’s do this together or let’s create this together.’ Black Lives Matter will continue. The protest will continue with the NBA playing. It’s not going to stop. …You have to remember, this is a world-wide movement and so nothing is going to stop. It will continue.
“And then when the guys are there, let’s get together, huddle up, let’s plan something really strong so when we’re done, Adam, the players (NBPA executive director) Michele Roberts, everybody can stand there and say, ‘Hey, this is what we decided to do and it’s going to bring real change in the inner cities, in urban America where we live, where we play. This is going to bring some real change.’ That’s what I would love to see happen.”
Magic Johnson Is Happy With The Reaction From The League
Magic is among NBA names who have been outspoken on social issues and he’s one of the most philanthropic former professional basketball players around, having played integral roles in community building projects while providing employment for a number of blacks through various endeavors.
The erstwhile Lakers point guard said he was pleased to see the reactions to George Floyd’s killing from around the league.
“It’s a call to action of everybody and it’s great to see Adam and his leadership of the NBA,” he remarked. “I was so happy to see all the players – and they are still involved as we speak today – to see them on the frontline protesting, using their power, using their platform, using their voice, using social media to say, ‘This has to stop.’ And they are willing to do whatever for change, because this is what this is all about, is we have to bring about change.”
