Jacque Vaughn doesn't want the movement to lose steam.
As the NBA positions itself at the intersection of entertainment and social justice, resuming its season amid growing tensions between the Black community and police departments in the wake of George Floyd's tragic death in Minneapolis, Vaughn says the Nets organization feels education is key.
"That's the challenge. I was actually part of a small group in our organization, reinforcing our thoughts of continuing to educate our team, whether that is going to be through movies as we are here, through books as we are here," Vaughn said in a conference call with reporters on Saturday. "So we were organizing that in a meeting yesterday, because that is really the true challenge."
Basketball is resuming. Teams have landed in Orlando, finished their 36-hour quarantines and had their players and personnel tested negative for consecutive coronavirus tests. Most, if not all teams, had their first full team practice at Walt Disney World for the first time since practice facilities were shut down after the NBA suspended its season.
The news cycles are also beginning to shift away from social issues and back to basketball: Who is being signed, who is healthy, who is playing what position and what teams are positioning for deep playoff runs?
Vaughn wants to make sure the internal message remains clear:
"The basketball part will be easy, but to continue to invest in the bigger picture and the broader message to our entire group, and that comes through education. We'll continue to push that as an organization. It is definitely on the forethought of our coaching staff, our GM, our ownership. It will not be removed because the ball is bouncing again."
