“Shameful, Inhumane and Intolerable”: NBA Coaches Launch a Committee on Racial Injustice and Reform Within NBA

In the wake of the alleged homicide of George Floyd, the National Basketball Coaches Association, the coaching union of the NBA, released a statement. “The events of the past few weeks — police brutality, racial profiling and the weaponisation of racism are shameful, inhumane and intolerable.”

While in the custody of the Minneapolis police, Floyd suffocated to death after a policeman kneeled on his neck. This has led to nationwide protests. The NBA athletes have come out, both on the streets and on social media, to call out this injustice.

In an attempt to battle such issues, the NBCA has launched a committee on Racial Injustice and Reform. This will help NBA cities enact change against racial discrimination and police brutality. Steve Kerr, Gregg Popovich, and David Fizdale are among the ones who are appointed in this committee.

NBA speaks up against racism and injustice

“As a diverse group of leaders, we have a responsibility to stand up and speak out for those who don’t have a voice – and to stand up and speak out for those who don’t feel it is safe to do so.” Multiple NBA coaches like Steve Kerr and Lloyd Pierce has spoken against these heinous acts.

Pierce, coach of the Atlanta Hawks, recently posted a close-up video of himself on Instagram. “There is an APPROPRIATE FEAR being a black man in America,” Pierce’s post read. “We are recycling hashtags and protests to no avail.” 

Warriors coach Kerr has never been shy to express his opinion, especially against injustice. ” [Even] though I’ve tried, I haven’t done enough and I don’t think any of us have done enough,” Kerr told Damon, Ratto & Kolsky. “When I say us, I mean white people. We haven’t done enough.”

The NBCA statement ends with, “We are committed to working in our NBA cities with local leaders, officials and law enforcement agencies to create positive change in our communities. We have the power and platform to affect change, and we will use it.” 

The statement issued had 213 signatures in total. 33 NBA Head coaches, both current and former, and180 from assistant coaches.