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Clippers Discussing Social Issues As A Group

LOS ANGELES – If the Clippers decide to make a statement to address social issues, they want it to happen as a group.

Head coach Doc Rivers said during Monday’s media day the Clippers have discussed the issues going on and how players and teams have responded to them, and the conversation’s an important one for athletes to have.

“It's a very relevant and important issue,” Rivers said. “Whatever we do, we'll do as a group; we'll do together, hopefully, but I'm happy that we're having those discussions.”

Blake Griffin said the Clippers will continue to talk as a team and come to a decision as a group.

“Whatever we do, I think we all agreed we're going to do it together,” Griffin said. “It's not going to be one or two guys, or an individual thing. I think we'll make a statement as a team, because that's kind of always the best way to make a statement.”

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Since 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick sat and took a knee during national anthems to protest racial oppression and injustices in America and to spark conversation and change, other players and teams have followed suit in various ways to show support.

While the Clippers haven’t decided what they’ll do, it’s an ongoing conversation and will likely happen in unity.

“Exactly what Blake said,” said Chris Paul, whose speech alongside Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade at this year’s ESPYs helped spark the conversation and called on athletes to promote social activism and change. “We're a team here, and the biggest thing that we can do is communicate with one another, and whatever we do, it'll be a team thing.”

Paul, who’s the president of the NBA Players’ Association, said he’s been in conversations with NBPA executive director Michele Roberts, and that the league wants to make sure each player has the freedom to express himself however it may be.

The NBA and NBPA have expressed a desire to hear from the players about how they’d like to go about creating positive change and making a social impact.

Guard J.J. Redick said he thinks it’s wonderful that athletes are becoming more active about speaking out on social issues.

“First of all, I think it's important that athletes recognize that they have a voice,” Redick said.

He added that while some people feel like athletes should stick to sports and stay out of politics, he believes the more active athletes are, the better it is for everyone.

“I know when I was a kid, I looked up to athletes,” Redick explained. “So, if an athlete spoke out on an important issue, then I was probably more likely to hear that opinion and to see that stance and recognize the importance of that.”

The Clippers’ first preseason game is Oct. 4 at Golden State, and they’ll return home to play the next day for their first home preseason game against the Raptors. The Clippers’ regular season opener is Oct. 27 at Portland.