Beyond the game, Dr. King’s legacy
MLK Day remains one of the NBA’s most meaningful regular-season showcases, using the game as a platform to honor the life, leadership, and lasting impact of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Activism has long been seen from some of the NBA’s all-time great Hall of Fame players, including Bill Russell, who was invited by Dr. King to sit front row at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. to witness the famous “I Have A Dream” speech. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was, and continues to be, widely recognized for being outspoken against racial injustice and a well-known associate of Dr. King.
Ahead of Monday’s celebration of Dr. King’s legacy as a civil rights activist, philanthropist, and human rights leader, several NBA players described King’s legacy.
Among them was Olympic gold medalist and Clippers guard James Harden, who said in a video on NBA.com, “Dr. King is legendary. He paved the way and made it easier for us to live.”
Harden, who recently moved up to No. 9 on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, will play in the 3 p.m. EST game against the Washington Wizards on Monday.
“It’s a day when the league amplifies voices, stories, and initiatives that reflect Dr. King’s call for justice and service,” he stated on NBA.com.