“I Promise to Lead With Love and Unity”: LeBron James Quotes Legendary Activist as Struggling Lakers Face OKC on MLK Day

As Martin Luther King Jr. Day unfolds, various events are underway to honor the enduring work and legacy of the late Dr. King. The 2024 year holds special significance, as it marks 60 years since the passage of the 1963 Civil Rights Act; a pivotal achievement in which Martin Luther King Jr. played a crucial role. The NBA recognizes MLK Day with a prestigious glare. With that, LeBron James, one of the leading face of the league for decades, put forward a tribute right before the Los Angeles Lakers‘ game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Over the years, the league has curated a lineup of games aimed to celebrate equality and promote activism in MLK’s name. This year, the schedule includes 11 games, with 4 of them ready for national broadcasting. Among the scheduled games, tributes are set to unfold in Atlanta, MLK’s birthplace, and Memphis, where he was tragically assassinated in 1968.

LeBron James pays tribute to Martin Luther King Jr.

In a noteworthy tribute, LeBron James, a prominent leader in the NBA, donned a sweatshirt bearing one of Dr. King’s quotes on the back. Demonstrating his commitment to the principles of love and unity, James shared a photo on Instagram featuring the sweatshirt, accompanied by the quote, “I Promise to Lead With Love and Unity.” He captioned the image with, “HAPPY ML👑 DAY 🙏🏾🙏🏾🤎🤎✨✨,” further underscoring the significance of the day and the ongoing efforts to carry forward Dr. King’s powerful message.

LeBron James, alongside various facets of the league, actively participates in honoring the legacy of Dr. King. The Atlanta Hawks, in keeping with tradition, will feature a gospel choir during pre-game introductions, serenading the name of each player.

Meanwhile, the Memphis Grizzlies plan to pay homage to athletes who have made substantial contributions to civil and human rights through their impactful careers in sports.

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The Lakers are changing their starting 5

Throughout the 2023-24 season, the Lakers have undergone significant changes in their starting lineups. Balancing the mix of retained key players and new additions to the roster has been a constant effort for the franchise. One notable shift occurred after the initial challenges of the season when Austin Reaves transitioned from the starting role to coming off the bench. Despite this change, Reaves continued to play crucial minutes, often closing out games for the team.

However, in the aftermath of post-IST struggles, the Lakers are reverting to the starting lineup from last year, with the only change being Taurean Prince taking Jarred Vanderbilt’s place. Head coach Darvin Ham recently announced that starting from their game against the OKC Thunder, they will showcase the lineup featuring Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell, Taurean Prince, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis.

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