LA Clippers’ head coach Doc Rivers is in favor of playing in Orlando due to the platform it provides.
Everyone has had an opinion on whether or not the league should resume the 2019-20 season in Orlando in July. There have been solid arguments on both sides and now LA Clippers’ head coach Doc Rivers has weighed in.
Joining Steve Kerr and Pete Carroll on their Flying Coach podcast, Rivers said he was in favor of returning to play amid the pandemic and national protests because it gives his players the chance to voice their opinion on a bigger stage.
"“I just think at the end of the day you can march and you can work, like most people are marching and working, we can do the same thing. But more importantly, it would give us an opportunity. A lot of us won’t have a voice if we don’t play, but I think if were allowed to play, then you will have a voice.“I think we have an opportunity here to not only go and crown a champion, but we have an opportunity as a league to really put out a great message. There’s going to be a ton of responsibility every day for our guys to say the right thing, and so I love it, and I’m looking forward to it.”"
Rivers has the right idea. With the NBA being one of the first major sports in the United States to start back up, eyes will be glued to the television. Players on not just the Clippers, but every team, will be able to speak on the social injustices in the world on a national stage. Sure, they have Twitter where they have been vocal, but being on networks like ESPN, TNT, and ABC will surely reach more people.
Some players, including the Clippers Patrick Beverley, were initially averse to the idea but have since come around to the fact that playing seems inevitable. That may not be a bad thing and players will be as safe as possible due to the league’s precautions that have been set.
Will they push their messages forward as Doc Rivers suggested? That’s yet to be seen. We have to assume they will though. Until then, make sure you are checking back here often for all your LA Clippers news, opinions, and more!