NBA players and coaches speak for the 38th edition of the NBA on MLK Day and why it's important.
Jordan Clarkson, Utah Jazz guard:
"I think a big thing is holding ourselves accountable. Whatever ethnicity or race, it all comes down to holding ourselves accountable, from the top to the bottom. I think that's where it comes in."
Jacque Vaughn, Brooklyn Nets coach:
"Dr. King fought for a lot of rights, fought for people who didn't look like him, fought for people who didn't look like him, fought for people who did not act like him."
Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers guard:
"Being a predominantly African-American league, we won't be able to have the opportunity that we do. I came from a mixed family with a white mama and a black dad. And that's not possible without the contributions of the ones who came before us."
Mike Brown, Sacramento Kings coach:
"We don't ever want to forget where we came from, especially the struggles that the people who laid the foundations went through in order to give people like myself and other African-Americans and other minorities an opportunity in this country to succeed at a high, high level.
When you appreciate how hard it was back then for them, you'll be able to appreciate where you are today because of the struggles they laid down for us."
Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves center/forward:
"Just look at the peace and the work Dr. Martin Luther King has left us. Take a step back and remind ourselves that we have a lot more work to do, continue and fight for his dream."
Dr. Bernice King, one of the four children born to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., spoke to NBA.com's Shaun Powell regarding the league's MLK day.
Dr. Bernice King on celebrating her father's legacy:
Well, I think the best way to celebrate is to really study and understand him and try to emulate some of the things because nobody’s going to be Dr. King. There are things that he left, or the teachings that he left for us, that we can all embrace and ensure that it’s part of our daily living, and that’s what’s most important. The wonderful celebrations and commemorations are great, but if we’re not internalizing these messages and trying to live them out, then we do a disservice to his life and now his legacy.
Dr. King on society today and what gives her hope about her father's dream:
The fact that there are people working on it, especially young people. When you see people like my niece and other young people taking up the banner and the torch and determined to make their mark in terms of moving the needle, that gives me hope. And as a Christian, I’m always going to be hopeful because I know personally what Jesus did for me, but also I know what God has done in the world through generations of people who’ve overcome tremendous odds. So, that gives me hope every day.
Dr. King on NBA players embracing social justice:
I think it’s powerful. I do think sometimes you have to go a little bit further. Martin King, what distinguished him is he was not loyal to a person. He was loyal to truth, justice, loyal to God. And if it meant that he had to take a position or a stance and sacrifice for the greater good, he would take the hit and he would lose whatever he had to lose because he was not wedded and loyal to stuff.
NBA on MLK Day
