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

Photos, videos, and news coverage of Donald Trump supporters storming the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday sparked intense responses within the NBA community. Some suggested a possible double standard in law enforcement’s treatment of 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.

Philadelphia 76ers coach, Doc Rivers, expressed his disturbance and sadness on Wednesday ahead of his team’s game against the Washington Wizards. He disputed the narrative that recent events were an attack on democracy, expressing confidence that democracy would always triumph. However, he noted the contrast between the heavy police presence during summer protests and the relative absence during recent incidents, suggesting that this discrepancy highlighted societal privilege.

Rivers continued, “I am voicing this because I believe not many others will. Can you envision what would have transpired today if those storming the Capitol were all black individuals? That’s a thought-provoking imagery that speaks volumes, and possibly something we all need to confront. Despite the turmoil, no police dogs were unleashed, no one was struck with billy clubs; people were peacefully escorted out. It’s evident that a crowd can be dispersed without violence. However, it’s a sorrowful day in many aspects and detrimental to our nation.”

Rivers was not the only one highlighting the contrast in the behavior and presence of law enforcement during the Capitol protests on Wednesday, compared to the significant resources used to suppress the Black Lives Matter unrest following George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis over the 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 turned over 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 there is national recognition of the disparity in the treatment of people of color by law enforcement, in comparison to non-minorities.

Pierce asserted that without recognizing the past and the unjust treatment of African Americans throughout history, including during periods of slavery, Reconstruction, and the civil rights movement, there can be no real change. He insisted that acknowledging the issue is the first step towards progress. He also pointed out the stark contrast in reactions to events, citing the lack of violent response to people casually roaming the Capitol building and occupying the office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi.

It is universally acknowledged that if it were Black people protesting, both guns and fires would be ablaze by now. Not to mention, we haven’t even discussed the potential destruction inside the building if Black people were protesting on the outside.

Pierce added, “However, there will be no change unless we recognize the vast disparity in the treatment of Black people regarding law enforcement. This recognition has yet to occur. We have been debating this point, protesting against it. This is why people have been urged to vote in order to bring about a change in leadership. But unless there is a sincere recognition of the differential treatment towards Black people in this country, particularly in terms of law enforcement in such situations, 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, ‘Would the federal reaction at the Capitol be the same if Black Lives Matters protesters were the ones physically breaking into the building? Do recall the response in Oregon that was justified as necessary for the protection of 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

Several active and retired NBA players expressed comparable 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 currently unfolding at the US Capitol is an absolute disgrace. It’s also a clear demonstration of the unequal way law enforcement handles different individuals involved.

— 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.

“Embarrassing is a term that keeps popping up on my timeline,” wrote Temple. “However, I don’t feel embarrassed, surprised, or even shocked. Feeling embarrassed would imply that I’m ashamed of what’s happening. But I don’t feel that way at all. The actions of these individuals in no way reflect who I am.”

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

“We must rise above this. The footage I’ve seen is appalling,” expressed Brooks. “This location holds significance. My hope is for everyone there, our supporters, everyone, to be safe. Such actions should not be tolerated. They’re disgraceful. This is the heart of our nation. The scenes I witnessed in the video should not be possible. They’re repugnant, they’re shameful, and they should never occur. We must continue on with our responsibilities. This is our duty. It’s just a few hours in our day. We all share the same sentiment. It’s truly revolting, but we must improve. Democracy exists for a purpose. It’s the culmination of everyone’s struggles.”

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 such as this, it’s the first thought that crosses my mind. All I can express is my gratitude in hoping that no one who resembles me is heading to Capitol Hill to react to this situation. Because if that were the case, law enforcement’s response would likely be different. This is a fact that both you and I are well aware of.”

I keep encountering the term “embarrassing” as I scroll through my timeline. However, I don’t feel embarrassed, surprised, or even shocked. Feeling embarrassed would imply that I’m ashamed of what’s happening, but I don’t harbor such feelings. These individuals don’t remotely represent me.

— Garrett Temple (@GTemp17) January 6, 2021

When the NBA season 2019-20 resumed in July after a break due to COVID-19, the league permitted the inscription of “Black Lives Matter” on the courts. It also endorsed social justice messages on the players’ jerseys and gave the green light for 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 undermine much of the efforts made by the NBA and WNBA. The latter, in many ways, has been leading the charge.

Stephen Silas, the coach of Houston Rockets, had difficulty explaining what the world saw at the U.S. Capitol building.

“It’s incredibly complex. The situation at the Capitol, the reasons behind it, the methods employed; the division and all the other factors,” Silas stated. “Our country has a long history of political party division. But it appears to me that currently, the division extends beyond politics to humanity itself. That’s the issue I’m currently wrestling with.”

Mark Daigneault, the coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder, saw the incident as a prompt indicating how far this country still needs to go, beginning with some deep introspection.

“It’s clearly distressing and quite surreal. This country is outstanding,” stated Daigneault. “However, there are instances when it’s challenging to identify ourselves. The gap between who we aspire to be, who we perceive ourselves to be, and who we truly are can be immense at times. This incident, along with a series of other recent events, simply underscores how much progress we still need to make.”

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