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In the process of disagreeing with a recent Washington Post column arguing for Bill Russell as the best player in NBA history because of what he faced off the court, Kendrick Perkins took things a step further on the latest episode of Road Trippin’. Rather than simply argue that off-court challenges should not factor into a player’s greatness or that someone like Michael Jordan still accomplished enough on the court to supersede Russell’s historic racial advocacy, Perkins took Russell down a peg by comparing his strength in the face of racism to modern players dealing with haters on social media.
“I would never take what the guys, Bill Russells, and what they had to go through for us to be able to perform at a high level … or even be in the NBA, for the NBA to even exist. I wasn’t there,” Perkins said on his Road Trippin’ podcast. “But I will say everyone’s had their own form of adversity. Back then, it was racism and death threats. But having to battle through the adversity of f*cking social media as a player elevates right up into there, when you talk about mental toughness.”
The roar of cheers and chants could be heard outside Gainbridge Fieldhouse just before NBA final Game 3 between the Pacers and Thunder the evening of June 11, but it wasn't the sound of Pacers fans. It was people gathered to protest ICE raids in Indiana — the latest to spring up across the country since such protests began in Los Angeles amid increased ICE activity under President Donald Trump.
Downtown Indy resident Jaqueline Montez, 30, said it was important to her to protest now rather than waiting for planned No Kings Day protests here and elsewhere June 14. “We’re being seen by the rest of the world,” Montez said. “We’re being noticed today.” The demonstration remained nonviolent, and one speaker reminded demonstrators not to antagonize the police.
On May 25, 2020, Floyd died in Minneapolis after police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. Floyd was arrested after allegedly using a counterfeit $20 bill to purchase cigarettes at a local store. A bystander’s video of Floyd’s arrest went viral, leading to worldwide outrage and protests against police brutality and systemic racism. “It was crazy. I saw a whole bunch of riots. Buildings burned. Stores broken into. I would hope it was because of what they felt,” Reid said.
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The Timberwolves were on the road playing against the Miami Heat at the time. After Floyd’s murder, the Timberwolves organization reached out to his family, hosted events, and worked to promote diversity and inclusion within the organization. On Oct. 6, 2020, Timberwolves players, coaches and other staff members walked toward the Floyd memorial with a long list of names of those slain by police brutality. “The situation was messed up,” Reid said. “Obviously, I wanted to go out and support. I felt the anger the family felt. I felt depression. It was [important] for me to be out there trying to give my love and my condolences.”
“I’ve met the Floyd family maybe once or twice,” Reid said. “I would say at that time it wasn’t a good moment, but it was a good interaction. So, that was good. They got my love.”
University of Virginia Police department got a special visitor Friday morning, May 9, former NBA player, Theo Ratliff. The basketball star did not come empty handed. He brought his book about anti-bullying, titled ‘Theo the Hero’, to donate copies to UVA Police Department‘s tutoring and mentoring program. UVA Police have been tutoring second grade students in Albemarle County for the past four years.
Jrue Holiday wins 2024-25 NBA Social Justice Champion award
Bobby Krivitsky: Jrue Holiday is this year’s NBA Social Justice Champion Award winner. Since its inception, the Jrue and Lauren Holiday Social Impact Fund (JLH Fund) has deployed over $5.3 million in grants and provided over 400 hours of coaching and support to nearly 200 businesses nationwide.
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With his homeland facing a humanitarian crisis due to a decades-long conflict that has been made worse by the Trump administration's dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and its many assistance programs that help the Congo, Bismack Biyombo has concerns that go way beyond basketball. "I think right now there is a little over two million refugees," Biyombo, 32, said of the crisis in the eastern part of the DRC. "I have visited them and have seen the conditions they are living in. It's very critical. And that's with the very little aid they were receiving. Now imagine without that little aid what that is going to do."
Biyombo is puzzled as to why the U.S. would abandon policies that helped millions of Congolese, including placing about 200,000 people on lifesaving antiretroviral treatment through the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) established by George W. Bush in 2003. "I don't like to get into politics, but I like to get into the human aspect of life," Biyombo said. "Where is humanity? How can we not overlook this?"
Biyombo's teammates applaud his commitment to the Congo. "Bizzy is unbelievably selfless," said Chris Paul, who also played two seasons with Biyombo in Phoenix from 2021-2023. "He is always looking out for others." Said Harrison Barnes, "Biz has always been intentional about giving back to his home. It's commendable what he's doing on the continent in terms of bringing awareness and donating resources. They need it now. He's been phenomenal in that regard."
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