Following the cue of his fellow Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, Anthony Davis also opted not to feature a social justice statement on the back of his jersey once the season resumes on July 30.
Per USA Today's Mark Medina, “The Brow” made it clear that he supports the BLM movement. However, he also emphasized that he values the importance of representing his surname each time he plays.
“I think the name ‘Davis' is something I try to represent every time I step on the floor with my family. I was torn between the two,” the Lakers big man said. “My last name is very important to me.”
Apart from plastering the courts at Disney World in Orlando, Florida with “Black Lives Matter” stickers, the league also approved 29 powerful social justice messages that could replace names at the backs of players' jerseys.
Empowering messages such us “Say Their Names; Vote; I Can’t Breathe; Justice; Peace; and Equality,” are just some of the pre-approved ones by the league.
While the two Lakers stars refused to have a jersey statement, several notable players have already pledged to have these messages printed on their uniforms — including Milwaukee Bucks sharpshooter Kyle Korver who will wear “Black Lives Matter.”
Anthony Davis and LeBron James' decision to forego the jersey change, meanwhile, doesn't necessarily mean they refuse to use the league's platform for societal change. The King already clarified that he wasn't consulted regarding the messages and will continue to preach change in other ways.
The Lakers, on the other hand, are still one of the favorites to win it all once the play resumes in a few weeks.
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