Adam Silver: I only say that because long before there was even a movement called Black Lives Matter, there was the NBA. There was Bill Russell, there was Oscar Robertson and Wayne Embry and Lenny Wilkens and all these great Black leaders within the league. Part of what I’m focusing on is finding our own voice for next season and putting us in a leadership position on these issues, and—maybe I’m naive to say this—putting us in a role to unify people as well. Now, some people might suggest that the words Black Lives Matter are causing massive amounts of people to tune out the NBA. There’s absolutely no data to support that. And in fact, as I said, there’s no doubt there are some people—and whether or not they were truly our fans to begin with is unclear—who have become further engaged with the league because they believe in our players and they believe in the positions they’ve taken, even if they don’t agree with everything they say. They respect their right to speak out on issues that are important to them.
Adam Silver: I only say that because long before there …
January 23, 2021 | 7:04 pm EST Update
Ira Winderman: Wait, Erik Spoelstra laughed during a pregame presser. He was asked if having had coached a Big 3 gave him insight on how to now slow a Big 3, he simply replied, “No.” And, yes, laughed. And with that, pregame media session ended.
Rod Beard: #Pistons Dwane Casey said he’s talked to Blake Griffin about playing some center in the future, based on the matchups, etc.
Omari Sanfoka II: Dwane Casey on Saddiq Bey’s slump after a hot start: “Nothing to be alarmed about. The young man is working his behind off … there’s always going to be a leveling off period and that’s what he’s going through right now. He’ll bounce back.”
Dane Moore: Ryan Saunders said 24 to 28 minutes is a “fair range” to expect for Ricky Rubio tonight who is in his second game back from COVID protocols. Jordan McLaughlin will be backup PG. And Jaylen Nowell will be third-string if that is needed.
