EL SEGUNDO, Calif. –- Before holding media day for the 2016-17 season at their training facility on Monday, the Los Angeles Lakers' coaches and players met to discuss athletes' recent national anthem protests against unjust treatment of African-Americans in the United States, a movement that first gained recognition from San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
"It's obviously a very serious, important issue," said Lakers first-year head coach Luke Walton. "I think something needs to be done. This country is too great to have happen what keeps happening. What that is, we'll decide as a group and continue to talk about what we can do.
"But I think, most importantly, it's what we get behind as an organization, individually and as a team. I know a lot of the media runs with what happens during the national anthem, which is a very big subject, because it's touchy from both sides. But to me, it's about what kind of change can we make. And that comes from getting with organizations that are in action within the community and giving out time, money and whatever else we can to help this problem get fixed."
Lakers forward Larry Nance Jr. said players discussed possibly locking arms and that the team's coaching staff and front office said they'll support the players' decision.
"Obviously, something needs to be done about this in the United States today," Nance said. "But as far as my stance, we as a team are currently in discussions of what we're going to do as a group, as a whole. That's something that I think the brand of the Lakers can really make an impact on."
As forward Julius Randle added, "I think definitely there's a way for us to all get together and making an impact on what's going on. Guys need to say something, and something needs to be said."
