Orlando Magic prepare, discuss potential anthem protests

The sports world has raised its voice on important social issues including Colin Kaepernick’s national anthem protest. Orlando Magic players have watched.

The sports world for much of the last few months has collided with the real world in an important way, driving an important discussion for America as a community.

Colin Kaepernick’s protest of the national anthem against police brutality and relations with black communities around the country has set off debates about the meaning of the flag, the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the issue Kaepernick wanted everyone to talk about — black community relations with the police and the increasing awareness and incidents of violence police have committed against black citizens.

It is easy to say “stick to sports” and ignore the issue or claim there are “better ways to protest” and spread the message than sitting or kneeling during the national anthem. The reality is, the protest has worked and started debate and discussion on this important issue.

The NBA has always played a role and had a hand in social change in sports. Earlier this summer, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul opened the ESPYs with a powerful message calling for athletes to do more and help bridge divides in their community.

It is no surprise then that what Kaepernick started in the NFL is making its way into the NBA.

Victor Oladipo predicted earlier this summer there would be players who followed Kaepernick’s lead. In the WNBA, the Indiana Fever collectively kneeled during the anthem during a playoff game last week.

The NBA is a league that is mostly filled with players of African-American descent. The issues affect their communities directly. They are oftentimes personal.

The conversations have already started with teams and players.

The NBA is trying to get ahead of the issue. Along with the NBPA, the league sent a memo pledging to actively engage in their communities. Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors has been outspoken about his feeling on the subject and Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs gave a his support to the potential protests.

The NBA does not plan to change its rule requiring players to stand for the national anthem.

The issue was present at Magic Media Day on Monday. And the Magic, as an organization, were proactive in discussing the issue with their players. Although the organization advised their players prefer players remain standing during the national anthem.

“Our stance is our preference would be anything we do, we do as a team and collectively,” general manager Rob Hennigan said. “Our preference would be that our guys continue to stand during the anthem as we have. At the same time, and what is important, and we have talked to our guys about, is to try to identify actionable initiatives that will help spread awareness and continue dialogue in the community and even a broader scope than that. That’s where the interest is and I think that’s where the focus lies, especially talking to our guys. It’s figuring out how to raise awareness and continue dialogue.”

Hennigan said while the team will encourage its players to remain standing during the national anthem, the players are free to do what they want in this instance.

A protest like this certainly would continue dialogue and awareness of the issue. But it does seem (even in the NFL) the process has moved on from protest to action to improve communities and relationships with the police.

And it is clear several Magic players have at least given thought to the prospect of a protest. These are issues that hit very close to home. The message certainly resonates.

“Definitely will consider [taking a knee during anthem],” Elfrid Payton said. “Just because of his message. Just what he is talking bout. The thing that is going on with the cops killing black people. Just how he is trying to promote the awareness about that getting people to know what is going on with that and try to open people’s eyes that it is happening. That is the reason why I would consider it. His message.”

Jeff Green said he has not thought that far as to whether he will take a knee in protest during the national anthem. He said his focus has been on practice and preparing for the season. But he said he does plan on speaking on what has taken place. It is an issue, he said, that draws concern for him and his teammates.

Green said even if he does not ultimately protest, he said he will do what he can to make the topic visible to the world and keep the conversation going until there is a resolution.

More from Orlando Magic Daily

Whether a player chooses to protest or not is truly an individual decision. Choosing not to protest does not mean they do not care. The conversation is much more nuanced than that.

“I appreciate what Colin is doing,” Aaron Gordon said. “He is bringing awareness to a topic that needs to be talked about. For me, when it comes to the game, I’m completely focused on the game. I’m on winning basketball. Off the court, I can let it be known what I believe in and where I stand on the topic. When it comes to the game, I’m going to be focused on the game.”

Gordon said what has happened around the country has weighed on his mind. He said he believes 95 percent, or whatever the percentage, of the police are good officers. But, for any organization, they are only as strong as their weakest link.

Gordon’s point is the focus should be to avoid is creating a divide and finding a way to work together to resolve and solve the underlying issues. And that is where the conversation needs to turn. Protests have raised the issue. The next step is creating action and real social change.

“At no time is [division] beneficial in any sense of humanity,” Gordon said. “The more we can unify the better. That comes with communication. What Kaep is doing is bringing an area of concern out to the public. But when it comes to game time, I’m ready to play basketball and that is what I am here to do.”

These are not easy conversations. And simply kneeling is not going to resolve these complex problems. It will take community action to create change. The protests going around the sports world right now simply raises awareness.

At the heart of the matter, these protests are about finding ways to respect people as people and prevent senseless acts of violence.

“It’s not something I want to see,” Green said. “I don’t want anyone to lose their life, especially the way it has been happening. It’s a tough subject to talk about. But hopefully some actions will be taken into place in which we can cut that out. It’s not something you want to turn on the TV and see another person losing their life. Hopefully some kind of resolution can come to this.”

Next: Orlando Magic Media Day: Magic expecting Playoffs

Come Oct. 4 when the Magic play their first preseason game, some of these issues may push some to take a knee and have their voices and presence heard in that way. Or they may try to make their impact in another way further on down the road. Or both.