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Lakers host pickup games for LAPD, South Central youth at practice facility

Ben Rohrbach
·Senior NBA writer
The Lakers were one of many NBA teams to lock arms in a show of unity during the national anthem early this season. (AP)
The Lakers were one of many NBA teams to lock arms in a show of unity during the national anthem early this season. (AP)

Prior to the 2016-17 NBA season, there was much discussion about how players might channel social activism efforts in the wake of a series of shootings of African-American men by police officers and vice versa over the summer, especially once we learned San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s national anthem protest was inspired in part by a call to action for pro athletes from basketball stars Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade at the ESPYs in July.

We are beginning to see those efforts play out, and the Los Angeles Lakers — also inspired by a town hall meeting Anthony participated in with his USA Basketball teammates, police and local youth over the summer in South Central, Los Angeles — are leading the charge in tangibly bridging the divide.

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In September, the NBA and NBPA issued a memo to players announcing “substantive ways for us to come together and take meaningful action. These ideas are based on the actions many of you have already taken or supported, including convening community conversations in NBA markets to engage young people, parents, community leaders and law enforcement in a candid dialogue; using our game to bring people together and build bonds of trust in our communities; and supporting mentoring and career development programs that help bring economic opportunity to young people of color.”

After which Anthony, again, in a wide-ranging interview with ESPN’s Howard Bryant in October, said “there’s only so far” the NBA will “let you go” with protests. He asked Kaepernick, “What’s next?” and told the 49ers QB, “You have to keep it going. So if that was just a one-time thing, then you’re f****d.” This need for something more seemed to be a league-wide sentiment in the weeks before the season.

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So, when the NBA’s initial response was tepid, with players locking arms during “The Star Spangled Banner” and teams “promoting unity, progress and love,” that vague message drew some criticism from proponents and opponents alike for the lack of a clearly defined strategy to promote change.

But a month into the season, we’re now beginning to see the fruits of that labor. For the third time in November, the Lakers opened the doors to their practice facility on Saturday to members of the Los Angeles Police Department and South Central youth, helping foster community relations through basketball, according to Bleacher Report. More from Kevin Ding’s extensive feature on Laker efforts:

One of the kids who has come out to these Lakers open gyms is now planning a career as a highway patrol officer.

“From the experience he’s had here,” adds Dino Smiley, a man best known for running the famed Drew League, where even NBA stars play in the summer.

Smiley’s regular job is counseling young men for the City of Los Angeles’ parks and recreation department.

“The interaction has just been great,” Smiley says of the Lakers’ events. “You catch ’em on the sidelines … just talking.”

According to Bleacher Report, the next step for the Lakers is a community policing seminar that will further promote candid dialogue between police and community members in December at the home of Smiley’s Drew League — the Charles Drew Junior High School gymnasium in South Central, L.A.

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So, if and when the subject of athlete protests comes up at a holiday party, and somebody says, “Yeah, but what are they really trying to accomplish?” there’s now something more tangible to discuss. Is it going to solve the increasing racial divide the country is experience? At least it’s a start.

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Ben Rohrbach is a contributor for Ball Don’t Lie and Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at rohrbach_ben@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!