NBA coaches, players react to breach of U.S. Capitol

The NBA community reacted strongly to pictures, videos, and news reports of Donald Trump supporters storming the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. Some even questioned if there is a double standard in how law enforcement deals with peaceful protests involving people of color.

Ahead of the league’s 11-game slate on Wednesday, coaches and players around the NBA watched several shocking scenes unfold as groups of protestors broke through barriers and destroyed property inside the Capitol building.

“Obviously, it’s quite unsettling and tragic,” commented Doc Rivers, the coach of Philadelphia 76ers, on Wednesday before his team’s game against the Washington Wizards. “However, I keep hearing that this is an assault on democracy. It’s not. Democracy always triumphs. It does reveal much, though. You can recall the protests in the summer, the riots, and the response from law enforcement and the military. But then you see this, and there’s no response. It essentially underscores the reality of privilege in many ways.”

“Many people may not want to say this, but I will,” Rivers stated. “Could we fathom what the reaction would have been if those storming the Capitol were all black individuals? This image speaks volumes, a thousand words, and perhaps it’s something we need to confront. In contrast, there were no police dogs deployed, no billy clubs used; people were escorted out of the Capitol peacefully. This shows it is possible to disperse a crowd without violence. However, it’s a distressing day for many reasons; it’s not good for our nation.”

Rivers was not the only one highlighting the disparity between the law enforcement presence and actions during Wednesday’s Capitol protests, and the extensive resources used to suppress the Black Lives Matter protests in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis last summer.

In Miami, before the Boston Celtics squared off against the Miami Heat, the players issued a joint statement and indicated there was some thought of not playing the nationally televised game.

In Milwaukee, both the Bucks and the Detroit Pistons intentionally took turnovers on their first possessions, with all 10 players on the court taking a knee.

UNITED. pic.twitter.com/RCUuGY4HMN

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) January 7, 2021

Hawks coach Lloyd Pierce, based in Atlanta, stated that “it’ll never change” until the nation recognizes the disparity in the way law enforcement interacts with people of color, as opposed to non-minorities.

Pierce stated, “There will be no change without acknowledging the historical maltreatment of African Americans, tracing back to slavery, Reconstruction, and the Civil Rights era. Denying the existence of an issue will not result in progress. The events we witness today serve as a stark reminder of the vast disparities that exist. It’s noteworthy that actions such as shootings, brutality, and looting are absent, while people leisurely stroll around the Capitol building, and occupy Nancy Pelosi’s office as though it’s a normal occurrence.”

It is clear to us all that if it was Black people protesting, both guns and fires would be blazing by now. This is even without considering the damage that could be done inside the building, which we haven’t even touched on yet.

Pierce emphasized, “Until we recognize the significant disparity in the treatment of Black individuals concerning law enforcement, nothing will change. This recognition is yet to occur, despite ongoing arguments and protests. That’s why people are being urged to vote for a change in leadership. Until we genuinely acknowledge the different treatment of Black people in this country, particularly in relation to law enforcement in such circumstances, there will be no change.”

New Orleans Pelicans coach Stan Van Gundy expressed similar sentiments, and posted a Tweet rhetorically asking how law enforcement would have handled Wednesday’s incident had it involved Black Lives Matters protesters.

“Van Gundy questioned whether the federal response at the Capitol would be the same if Black Lives Matters protesters were the ones physically breaking into the building. He also reminded people of the response in Oregon that was reportedly necessary to defend federal property.”

Hired back in October to replace Alvin Gentry as head coach of the Pelicans, Van Gundy has long advocated for social justice, and once told Marc Spears of The Undefeated that “I only know about these issues, and these problems, and these inequities from people I’ve been associated with, work with, know, care about,” before adding that “just because something doesn’t happen to you, if it’s happening to people you know, if it’s happening to people you care about, you care about the issue.”

NBA TV analysts discuss the siege at the Capitol

Numerous active and retired NBA players voiced similar levels of concern on Twitter.

“An absolute disgrace what’s happening at the US Capitol right now,” Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love posted to Twitter. “And a blatant example of inequity in how law enforcement chooses to deal with those involved.”

What’s occurring at the US Capitol right now is utterly disgraceful. It’s a flagrant display of the inequality in law enforcement’s treatment of involved individuals.

— Kevin Love (@kevinlove) January 6, 2021

Jamal Crawford tweeted that “you do things like this when you know there is a certain privilege where nothing is gonna happen to you.”

Meanwhile, Chicago Bulls guard Garrett Temple tweeted that he was neither shocked or embarrassed by Wednesday’s events.

“Perusing my timeline, I repeatedly encounter the term ’embarrassing’,” penned Temple. “I don’t feel embarrassment, surprise or shock. To be embarrassed would imply that I feel some level of shame about the current circumstances. I don’t harbor such emotions. The people involved do not in any way embody who I am.”

Scott Brooks, head coach of the Washington Wizards and Rivers’ opponent on Wednesday night, described Wednesday’s events as “sad and embarrassing.”

“What I’ve witnessed in the videos is truly appalling,” Brooks stated. “We are capable of much better than this. This location holds significance and it’s our hope that everyone there, including our fans, is safe. The events that transpired are unacceptable and shouldn’t be permitted. This is the heart of America; the behavior demonstrated in the video is disgraceful, embarrassing, and should never occur. Despite the circumstances, we have to carry on; it’s our responsibility and merely a small fraction of our day. We’re all in agreement – it’s repugnant, but we need to rise above it. Democracy is a hard-fought right that we should uphold.”

NBAPA executive director Michele Roberts spoke to ESPN in the aftermath of Wednesday’s events, and like many of her colleagues around the league, pointed out the racial double standard that the breaching of the U.S. Capitol displayed to the entire country.

“We saw a Black police officer being chased, and players said to me, ‘So this is what they can do?’ And people don’t get this privilege stuff. I know how they’re feeling,” Roberts told ESPN. “I am so angry and pained — and refusing to cry. It reminded me of something that James Baldwin said, when asked what it was like to be a Negro in the United States of America. He said that if you’re conscious of what’s going on in the country, and you’re a Negro, you’re in a constant state of rage.

“On a day like today, it’s the first thought that crosses my mind. All I can express is gratitude, hopeful that no one resembling me is heading to Capitol Hill to deal with this situation. If they were, the reaction from law enforcement would undoubtedly be different. It’s something you and I are both aware of.”

I continuously see the word “embarrassing” as I scroll through my timeline. However, I don’t feel embarrassed, shocked or even surprised. Feeling embarrassed would imply that what’s happening brings me a sense of shame, but I don’t feel that way at all. These individuals in no way reflect who I am.

— Garrett Temple (@GTemp17) January 6, 2021

Following a COVID-19 hiatus, the 2019-20 NBA season resumed in July, featuring a range of approved social justice initiatives. These included painting “Black Lives Matter” on the courts, permitting social justice messages on players’ jersey backs, and allowing coaches and players to kneel during the national anthem.

The league’s collective activism was on full display.

After the Jacob Blake shooting by law enforcement in Kenosha, Wisconsin back in August, the Milwaukee Bucks decided to not play their first-round playoff game against the Orlando Magic. On Tuesday, Kenosha (WI) County District Attorney Michael Graveley announced he would not bring charges against the police officer who shot and paralyzed Blake.

The announcement and Wednesday’s events at the U.S. Capitol building appeared to significantly undermine the efforts made by the NBA and WNBA, who have been leading the charge in many aspects.

Stephen Silas, the coach of the Houston Rockets, found it difficult to express what the world saw happening at the U.S. Capitol building.

Silas stated, “It’s incredibly complex. There are numerous facets to consider. First, you have the events taking place at the Capitol building, then the reasons behind them, and then the method used to execute them. There’s also the division and numerous other factors involved.” He continued, “Our country has a lengthy history of political party division. However, it appears currently, the division is beyond politics; it’s in humanity itself. That’s what I’m trying to come to terms with and am struggling with presently.”

Mark Daigneault, the coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder, saw the incident as an indication of the significant progress that still needs to be made in this country, beginning with some profound introspection.

“Daigneault clearly stated, “It’s a shocking and somewhat unreal situation. We live in a wonderful country. However, there are moments when it’s difficult to identify our own selves. The gap between our aspirations, our perceived identity, and our actual identity can be quite wide at times. This incident, along with a series of past events, is just another indication of how much progress we still need to make.”

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