Abdul-Rauf: NBA has only become more sophisticated in its delay – 09/21/2023 – Sport

The NBA is, in comparison with other professional leagues in the United States, generally seen as progressive. Especially when the established parameter is the almost openly reactionary NFL, American football, the basketball championship and its leaders seem at least more open to modern concepts and movements to change society.

For Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, it is just a cover. The 54-year-old former player, who experienced the league’s conservatism in the 90s, “nothing has really changed” since then. “Nothing has improved. There is only an impression that it has improved,” he told Sheet. “They’ve only gotten more resourceful and sophisticated.”

Abdul-Rauf, in 1996, when he played for the Denver Nuggets, stopped standing up to play the North American anthem before matches. Converted to Islam – which made him give up his given name, Chris Jackson – he said he could not be both “for God and for oppression”. According to him today, the flag of the United States did not represent his principles.

After some time, the league noticed and got upset. Then led by hard-liner David Stern, it suspended the player and fined him. After that, he agreed to stand during the anthem, but always with his eyes closed, saying his prayers.

Mahmoud would then be traded to the Sacramento Kings. Two seasons later, under 30, he was out of the league. He made a brief comeback in 2001, with the Vancouver Grizzlies, already aware that his words cost money. “I lost millions,” he repeated several times.

David Stern is no longer alive. The commissioner was succeeded by Adam Silver, seen as a leader more in tune with current times. In 2020, after the brutal murder of George Floyd and its repercussions, pressure allowed the use of messages on uniforms. But players had to choose from a pre-established list of phrases, such as “black lives matter.”

“It’s a good thing to encourage people to say that people’s lives matter. But this pre-approved message doesn’t do the issue much justice,” said Abdul-Rauf. “The NBA presents itself as progressive, it says athletes can speak. But when athletes want to talk about an issue that bothers it, no matter how truthful it may be, it scolds. ‘You can parrot what we want you to say,’ You know? They’re not completely honest. And that’s what I have a problem with.”

The NBA has acted in recent years on abuse cases. Donald Sterling, for example, was forced to sell the Los Angeles Clippers in 2014, after the release of audios with explicitly racist content. More recently, last year, the Phoenix Suns also had to be sold by Robert Sarver when an entire corporate network of harassment, racism and misogyny came to light.

The question is: did the league move on principle or for public relations, to protect its image? Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf doesn’t seem to have any doubts.

“If they were really honest about injustices… You have a person like Craig Hodges, right? He was mistreated in the NBA. You see my situation. And there are many others. I’m not asking for anything. But David Stern is no longer in the league, and They’re saying that Adam Silver is much more progressive. Why not involve people like Craig Hodges in the discussions if you’re really concerned about injustice?”

Hodges, a black man, a highly accurate shooter, holder of the record of 19 consecutive hits in the league’s annual three-point competition, was another who lost space for his activism. A two-time champion with the Chicago Bulls in 1991 and 1992, he was dismissed after proposing a boycott of a Finals game in response to the beating of Rodney King by the Los Angeles police.

“He should be involved in the conversations. You should call on these people to show that you don’t have the same type of behavior as your predecessors, to show that you are really working on change,” Mahmoud noted.

The American, born in 1969 in the still racist state of Mississippi, is not exactly optimistic. He quotes author Christopher Hedges to describe the concept of the “narrative of perpetual progress.” “It’s not that there hasn’t been any progress. But you look at the general scenario, of health, of education, of poverty, of the global crisis with wars, of climate issues, and you see that things have not changed substantially.”

This does not discourage Abdul-Rauf. He repeatedly uses the not-so-translatable word “relentless,” an adjective he appreciates. A person must be relentless, obstinate, in relation to what they believe in. Therefore, even in a system designed to silence black people, he observes with reserve athletes who remain silent in the face of injustice.

It’s a common criticism of the main names in Brazilian football. But is it fair to criticize them?

“I think that, regardless of our professions, we are human beings who share this human experience on Earth. [A escritora indiana] Arundhati Roy has a quote that resonates with me. She says once you’ve seen something, you can’t unsee it,” she stated.

“One way or another, we are responsible for our actions. And much is expected of those to whom much has been given,” he said, referring to sportspeople who, with their talent, have gained a platform to present their ideas. “We all see things. When someone sees something and decides to remain silent, as Arundhati says, that person has responsibility. It is silence that allows things to perpetuate themselves.”

Mahmoud will talk about this with young Brazilians starting this Saturday (23). The North American will conduct basketball clinics in Sesc-SP units until the 29th. He will give shooting tips – with the obsession, linked to his Tourette syndrome, which made him a better point guard. And he will tell young people that, in addition to playing, they must think and speak.

“It’s always bigger than a game. We’re going to challenge them on the court, but we’re going to challenge them in other areas of life, encourage them to think critically. It’s amazing how you can show courage by competing on a court, but we don’t transfer this to other areas”, said the former player.

“Basketball and sports require discipline, time management, communication and so many other things. So how do you transfer that from sports to being a politically aware, vocal and social person? Does everyone have something that irritates them as a human being? I would say, ‘Go in that direction.’ And use that energy for your life.”