Ian Begley, SNY.tv | Twitter |
A handful of players involved in Friday's call over concerns about plans to restart the 2019-20 season expressed strongly that they would consider not playing, according to a source familiar with the call. But some veterans on the call open to sitting out had a question for the players, such as Brooklyn's Kyrie Irving, who supported the idea.
"They were asking, 'What's the plan?'" a source familiar with the call said of the response of some veterans on the call. "Even the players who supported the idea of sitting, they were asking about a plan of action. There was no plan.'"
Several players, including Irving and Lakers guard Avery Bradley, continue to consider sitting out of the NBA's resumed season in Orlando in an effort to continue the national conversation over racial inequality and police brutality.
The players, players union and the NBA have since talked about potential plans to further the dialogue and produce tangible change.
Several veteran players on that call last Friday said that they appreciate the subsequent demands conveyed by Irving, Bradley and others (described below). But they were dismayed that there was no concrete plan in place at the time of the first call.
According to ESPN, Irving and Bradley, are among a coalition of players trying to provide a voice for players who are concerned about the negative consequences of speaking out publicly.
Irving, Bradley and the coalition of players, according to ESPN, have said they want to talk about several issues with the league, including the investment of resources from all levels of the NBA to aid in social justice reform.
Bradley has also said, in an interview with ESPN, that players are asking for 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.
In a statement to ESPN shared by leaders of the coalition of players, the group described itself as a movement working to unite NBA players and those well beyond the limits of the league's structure.
"We are a group of men and women from different teams and industries that are normally painted as opponents, but have put our egos and differences aside to make sure we stand united and demand honesty during this uncertain time," the coalition said.
"Native indigenous African Caribbean men and women entertaining the world, we will continue to use our voices and platforms for positive change and truth.
"We are truly at an inflection point in history where as a collective community, we can band together -- UNIFY -- and move as one. We need all our people with us and we will stand together in solidarity.
"As an oppressed community we are going on 500-plus years of being systemically targeted, used for our IP [intellectual property]/Talent, and also still being killed by the very people that are supposed to 'protect and serve' us.
"WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH!
"We are combating the issues that matter most: We will not accept the racial injustices that continue to be ignored in our communities. We will not be kept in the dark when it comes to our health and well-being. And we will not ignore the financial motivations/expectations that have prevented us historically from making sound decisions.
"This is not about individual players, athletes or entertainers. This is about our group of strong men and women uniting for change. We have our respective fields, however, we will not just shut up and play to distract us from what this whole system has been about: Use and Abuse.
"We are all fathers, daughters, leaders and so much more. So what is our BIG picture? We are in this for UNITY and CHANGE!"
Irving and the group have been criticized by some ex players in the media because their concerns are being voiced after the NBPA had voted to approve the league's plan.
During a call with season-ticket holders, Nets owner Joe Tsai downplayed any criticism of Irving.
"Don't believe everything you see in the media... he's [Kyrie] a very smart player who wants to express his views," Tsai said, according to Anthony Puccio of Nets Daily.
Several people in touch with players in the aftermath of last Friday's call believe that the 2019-20 season will ultimately be restarted in Orlando as planned.
"Some guys may sit out, but I'd be stunned if there weren't games in Orlando this summer," a source familiar with Friday's call said.
Player concerns over the re-start of the season aren't limited to social justice. Due to the coronavirus crisis, some players are worried about the health and safety of themselves and their families in the "bubble" where games would take place.
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