In a sign of solidarity and unity, members of the Los Angeles Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs locked arms in midcourt during the national anthem before their game on Thursday.
At a time when the US still seems so divided amid all the political controversies and social injustices, players and coaches led by Lakers superstar LeBron James and Spurs coach Gregg Popovich decided the best thing to do was to come together and present a unified front.
Lakers and Spurs lock arms in circle at midcourt during playing of National Anthem pic.twitter.com/vLReQpVn5l
— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) January 8, 2021
Everyone entered 2021 hoping that it would turn the tide and wipe off all the unfortunate events that occurred in 2020. But a week into the new year, it's clear that the fight for justice and equality is far from done, emboldening the NBA community, including the Lakers and the Spurs, to speak up and do silent protests.
Earlier this week, Kenosha County cleared police officer Rusten Sheskey of all criminal charges in the near-fatal shooting of Jacob Blake in August. The local court deemed Sheskey's actions as self-defense, drawing the ire of NBA players, including LeBron, who showed his obvious disdain.
Then in a crazy turn of events, Donald Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol in Washington, DC on Wednesday to stage a violent protest against the results of the US Presidential Election.
Popovich was deeply embarrassed for the events that unfolded, which led to the death of four people, including an Air Force veteran. The Detroit Pistons and the Milwaukee Bucks, meanwhile, took a knee prior to their game on Wednesday as a sign of protest.
The Bucks and Pistons tip and take a knee: pic.twitter.com/imATR6FC5L
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) January 7, 2021
The inspiring move of the Lakers and the Spurs is the latest in a string of powerful messages being sent by the NBA community to the seemingly incessant social ills in the US.
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