Many NBA players are very cognizant about the issue of racism throughout the country, and some have been public about the need to rectify the issue.
Elijah Millsap, who briefly played for the Utah Jazz several years ago, shared a racist comment he received from team executive vice president of basketball operations Dennis Lindsey.
Almost 6yrs ago. On April 16, 2015, D. Lindsey made bigot remarks in my exit interview while conversing with Q. Snyder “if u say one more word, I’ll cut your Black ass and send you back to Louisiana”.
— Elijah (@Elijah_Millsap) February 25, 2021
Lindsey has a long managerial history in pro basketball. He started out as a video coordinator and scout for the Houston Rockets over 20 years ago.
He became the general manager of the Jazz in 2012, and got promoted to executive vice president of basketball operations in 2019.
In recent years, many NBA players have engaged in activism in an attempt to create greater public awareness about racism, both on an individual and systemic level.
After the law enforcement-related shootings and killings of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and Jacob Blake last year, players such as LeBron James have been actively advancing the cause of racial and social justice.
In response to Blake’s shooting, players staged a brief boycott of games during last year’s NBA playoffs, only to resume play, thanks in part to some advice from former president Barack Obama.
