Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma is right now most often being asked about his role with the team, but on Wednesday, he took time out of his day to respond to a fan on Twitter in a rather interesting way.
The recent Black Lives Matter protests which called for justice on the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and many more, has inspired many athletes across the world to use their platforms for the better.
In fact, talks have swept the league questioning whether the Orlando bubble would’ve only served as a distraction from the social issues at present. But the players and the league have reached a compromise on the matter, ultimately allowing both parties to pursue a shared goal while resuming the games: to bring attention to these important issues of social justice.
Lakers guard Kyle Kuzma has recently reached out to the sports media industry to include questions regarding social injustice issues in press conferences or even private interviews.
Media & players: We work hand n hand. We have platforms but help us out! Yes we know your job is to ask us about basketball questions. But if you guys believe in equality for all, let’s ask a few social injustice questions here n there. We’re all in this together
— kuz (@kylekuzma) July 22, 2020
But not all wanted those conversations after the game. This led the 6-foot-8 guard to chide a fan’s suggestion to separate the discourse on social justice and the sport, an unintentional practice which Kuzma earlier slammed.
He tweeted in reply to the fan:
“No because the moment you all want to hear is postgame so that’s when there needs to be social injustice conversation. If it was a separate presser no one would pay attention.”
No because the moment you all want to hear is postgame so that’s when there needs to be social injustice conversation. If it was a separate presser no one would pay attention. https://t.co/2k0bPfmAVf
— kuz (@kylekuzma) July 22, 2020
A number of the NBA’s stars have opted to display social justice messages on the backs of their jerseys. The list includes Bucks teammates and brothers Giannis and Thanasis Antetokounmpo with the word “Equality”, Lakers guard Danny Green with the phrase “How Many More?”, and Blazers guard CJ McCollum for “Education Reform”, among many others.
While Kuzma may not be one of those players, he made it clear that he is still just as passionate for the cause as ever. “I just don’t believe you have to put something on the back of your jersey to make a statement. I do a lot for the city of Flint, (Michigan), inner-city L.A., a lot of social activism,” Kuzma said in an interview.
Indeed, social justice affects everyone and no bubble can really stop its effects. This recent uproar in the league just proves that the players won't turn a blind eye against it.
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