Several players are against the re-opening of the 2019-20 season, noting that basketball might serve as a distraction from the current social justice issues hounding the US. But for NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, the league actually has a “unique opportunity” to address these issues — a chance that nobody else in the world has.

Over the past few days or so, the likes of Kyrie Irving, Dwight Howard and Avery Bradley have shared their opinion on the resumption of the 2019-20 season. For them, it's unwise for the NBA to return amid all that's happening in the US and all over the world.

Silver shared his thoughts on the matter, too. While he didn't full-out rebut the players' sentiments, he pointed out that all eyes will be on the NBA in the event that it resumes. With that said, the league should harness this occasion to respond to the racial issues in the US.

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“… In terms of social justice issues, it'll be an opportunity for NBA players in the greater community to draw attention to the issues because the world's attention will be on the NBA in Orlando if we're able to pull this off. … What should this league, that may have a unique opportunity as compared to almost any other organization in the world, be doing in response to George Floyd's death, to endemic racial issues in society?” Adam Silver said per Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.

“I've heard this loud and clear — the statements have been issued, foundations have been announced, contributions. But there's an expectation that there's more that this league can do; and I think part of it's gonna require a fair amount of listening, something we've been doing already. But then engaging in very deliberate behavior, together with the players, in terms of how can we use our larger platform, the NBA together with the players, really to affect change.”

On another note, Silver pointed out that the league has an “obligation” to try and resume the season, highlighting that staying on the sideline sends a message that they have surrendered to the coronavirus pandemic.

“For us, we feel that this is what we do: We put on NBA basketball. We think that for the country, it'll be a respite [from] the enormous difficulties people are dealing with in their lives right now,” Silver added.