The LA Lakers donned “I Can’t Breathe” shirts before Tuesday night’s game against the Sacramento Kings, showing their support for protesters in the wake of the Eric Garner grand jury decision. Every player wore the shirt, except for backup center Robert Sacre. Kobe Bryant stated, “It’s important that we have our opinions. It’s important that we stand up for what we believe in and we all don’t have to agree with it, and it’s completely fine. That’s what makes this a beautiful country.”
Other NBA athletes have joined in the silent protests as well. Earlier this week, Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose donned an “I Can’t Breathe” shirt, and members of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Brooklyn Nets also followed suit. LeBron James commented, “As a society we know we have to do better, but it’s not going to be done in one day.”
The NBA’s official apparel provider is Adidas, but the league says it won’t fine players for wearing unauthorized “I Can’t Breathe” shirts. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver added, “As long as they’re informed, and to be careful and make sure they understand the issues before they speak out but that I encourage them when they have genuine authentic views on a subject to let them be known.”
- How an Alleged Spy Balloon Derailed an Important U.S.-China Meeting
- Effective Altruism Has a Toxic Culture of Sexual Harassment and Abuse, Women Say
- Inside Bolsonaro's Surreal New Life as a Florida Man—and MAGA Darling
- 'Return to Office' Plans Spell Trouble for Working Moms
- 8 Ways to Read More Books—and Why You Should
- Why Aren't Movies Sexy Anymore?
- Column: Elon Musk Should Not Be in Charge of the Night Sky
- How Logan Paul's Crypto Empire Fell Apart
- 80 for Brady May Not Be a Masterpiece. But the World Needs More Movies Like This
