Los Angeles Lakers guard Avery Bradley and Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving say their players coalition is eager to hear the NBA’s plan on issues of importance to the black community before the NBA’s restart in Orlando, according to ESPN’s Malika Andrews and Adrian Wojnarowski.
Bradley and the players coalition described several priorities Tuesday to ESPN, including improved hiring practices for black front-office and head-coaching candidates — making it so the league’s management better reflects its composition of players; donations to organizations serving black communities; and partnerships with black-owned businesses and arena vendors.
Bradley expressed support for NBA players wanting to use platforms in Orlando to speak on issues of systemic racism, but said his group believes those efforts would have greater impact with “our owners’ help.”
NBA commissioner Adam Silver has said discussions of such concerns with the NBPA have been ongoing. He said Monday any players who did not feel comfortable participating in Orlando would not breach their contract. But he suggested the multiple agendas could be served with the game’s return.
Adam Silver stands behind players who choose to skip the rest of the season in Orlando. (via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/utxOGrU8S7
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 17, 2020
Irving and Bradley are two players who have taken on expanded roles in organizing player conference calls over the past week. Their hope is to see an increase in black executives among the ranks of top NBA decision-makers. The league currently has eight black general managers and seven black head coaches.
