Before fielding questions during Sunday’s Zoom call, Kings head coach Luke Walton paused for a moment and made a statement on the passing of civil rights icon turned U.S. Representative John Lewis.
“I think it’s important that before we get into basketball, we acknowledge the life of a great man that we lost today in John Lewis,” Walton said. “We talked to the team about it and it’s important, I think, that we not only share our love and our thoughts and our prayers, but we give thanks to a man that lived an incredible life, that sacrificed so much to try to make the world a better place. The more you read on him and hear about some of the things that he did, it's just absolutely incredible. He truly did spend his life trying to make life better for others.”
One of the original 13 Freedom Riders, Lewis spent years fighting for civil rights and against segregation in the early 1960s. Arrested more than 40 as an activist, including more than a few times where he shed blood, Lewis’ fight eventually led him into the political realm.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
Lewis passed away on Friday evening at the age of 80. He served an astonishing 17 terms in the United States House of Representatives for Georgia’s 5th congressional district from 1987 until his passing.
In 2011, Lewis was awarded the Presidential Medal of Honor by President Barack Obama. He leaves behind an incredible legacy as a warrior for social change.
NBA coaches Gregg Popovich and Steve Kerr are well known for stepping into the world of politics and speaking their minds. Not every coach is completely comfortable with the idea of putting their opinions out there.
Walton isn’t against speaking his mind, but as a young coach getting established in the league, he isn’t at the forefront of discussions regarding hot button issues.
NBA
That may be changing. With social justice being at the forefront of the NBA’s restart, Walton is both encouraging his players to speak up, but also finding his own voice in the discussion.
“We encourage all of our players to stand up for what they believe in and speak up on it and I think that as a country, we’ve done a really nice job of continuing to express how we feel and not be judged by it,” Walton added. “I think it’s important that coaches do it because coaches are leaders of teams and then as players have the opportunity and the chance, they do the same thing.”
The Kings as a whole haven’t shied away from jumping into the mix when it comes to promoting social change. All 17 players are set to wear a message on their jerseys once games start and so far, they have all been willing to share that message and why it is important to them as individuals.
[RELATED: Kings holding spot for Barnes after positive test]
Walton will not have an opportunity to wear something on a jersey, but if he did, the Kings’ first-year coach said earlier this week that his message would be “education.”
When the NBA officially begins on July 30, expect the messaging to be clear. The league will not distract from the social changes that are currently taking place in the United States. If anything, they will further the conversation with every bounce of the ball.