Social justice issues have become a cornerstone for many NBA players. The league is made up of players of African-American heritage, who have taken various social justice-related stances. Since the late 2010s, many NBA players have touched upon the issues pertaining to race. The landmark event that defined the players’ stance on social justice came after George Floyd’s shooting. As a form of protest, the words “I Can’t Breathe” were seen on the warmup jerseys of players like LeBron James. Additionally, during the pandemic shortened 2020 season, players even had messages related to social justice written on their jerseys.

Kenny ‘the Jet’ Smith has also been a vocal supporter of these players. He has made some gestures that indicate his support in the past and recently reiterated them once again.

Reflections of Kenny Smith that made him walk away from Shaquille O’Neal

During the 2020 Bubble season, three Playoff games were suspended. Players staged a boycott after Jacob Blake was shot dead by police officers which sparked massive outrage and protests. Back in 2020, supporting the players’ decision to join the protest, Kenny appeared emotional on Inside the NBA and eventually walked off the set, leaving Shaq and Charles Barkley stunned.

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Before walking off he said, “I don’t know if I’m appropriate enough to say it, what the players are feeling and how they’re feeling. I haven’t talked to any player. Even driving here and getting into the studio. Hearing calls and people talking. For me, right now, as a black man, as a former player, it’s best for me to support the players and just not be here tonight.”

Cutting the silence that ensued after Smith’s departure, Shaq said, “I respect that everybody was unified in their decision.”

Sitting down with Big Boy TV, the Jet talked about his college days in North Carolina when Dean Smith was his Head Coach. His first question to the former Guard was “What you gonna do as an African American on this campus?”. Olajuwon’s former teammate was surprised because this was the first time anyone has asked him this question. The former Houston Rockets guard didn’t have an answer to this question. Talking about his decision to walk away from the set, Smith talked about the “echoes”

“It was the echoes of all those people and I didn’t realize. And that’s when I wrote the book. It’s the echoes of all those people, Dean Smith, Bill Russell, Magic, Shaq, Chuck, like everybody echoing in my years. Michael Jordan.”

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In this Big Boy interview, the Inside the Crew commentator also talked about Shaquille O’Neal. The former NBA Champion reminded people about the business acumen of Diesel. He stated how Shaq owns Forever 21, the rights to the Brook brothers, and the rights to Marilyn Monroe. He called Shaq the “most astute businessman I know.”As NBA players try to balance the business-related aspects and social justice issues, the stance of the Jet remains relevant. 

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