‘LeBron James is not going to be what Muhammad Ali was’: Gregg Popovich praises Lakers star’s stances regarding social justice

LeBron James received some heady praise from the iconic Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich. The 71-year-old praised James for using his platform.

In the wake of the storming of Capitol Hill on Wednesday, the NBA has banded together in condemnation of the act. They’ve used this opportunity to lay bare the difference in treatment of protesters on racial lines. The likes of Doc Rivers, Draymond Green and Jaylen Brown, among others, made no bones of this on the fateful day.

LeBron had been silent for a day through all this, presumably giving his competitors a chance to get their message on board. But ahead of tonight’s game against Popovich and his players, James made a statement of his own. He arrived at Staples Center wearing a tshirt with a loud and clear message – “Do you understand now?”.

Pop on LeBron James’ commitment to activism: “I think he’s going to be an iconic figure. Nobody is going to be what Muhammad Ali was … but in that same genre, I am so proud of this guy and so pleased for him.”

— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) January 8, 2021

Also Read: “LeBron James opened the door and set the tone”: Skip Bayless praises Lakers superstar for using his platform, congratulates NBA for unity after Washington riots

Gregg Popovich praises LeBron James for promoting social justice causes

Pop called LeBron James an icon – describing the 4-time MVP’s use of his massive platform and influence:

“I think he’s going to be an iconic figure … I’m so proud of this guy and so pleased for him … to see his development as a human being, as a citizen, as someone who looks at the social issues of our time and is willing to speak out.”

“Basketball, sure, fine. But as a human being, as a citizen, as someone who looks at the social issues of our time, he doesn’t do it with hate. He just tells the truth and lays it out there. … He’s a very special person in that regard.”

Pop: “We’re in a horrible position and we can send a message to the world. We can send a message to our children, to our citizens, that what they saw yesterday wasn’t really America — although that was America. It happened here. That’s who we are. But we don’t want to be that.”

— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) January 8, 2021

Also Read: “He quit”: Rockets announcer Calvin Murphy takes a jab at James Harden during game against Indiana Pacers on hot mic, lands in hot water