It was a simple statement from a thinking man who's long been confident in his opinions. Asked about the Phoenix Suns donning "Los Suns" jerseys as a united stance against Arizona's new immigration laws, Lakers coach Phil Jackson told ESPN in early May: "I don't think teams should get involved in the political stuff."
Further comments condoning the law inspired a protest outside of Staples Center last Monday, prompting reporters to ask Jackson if he's changed his position on the legislation. He hasn't. And he shouldn't. Not based on a few dozen picketers, at least.But what fewer people seem to be questioning is his belief that teams or franchises shouldn't involve themselves with politics.
Really? Never? Don't tell Charles Barkley that.
He was told of Jackson's teams-and-politics-don't-mix views at the Lakers-Suns game Wednesday and responded in typical Sir Charles fashion.
"It's a good thing Jackie Robinson and Muhammad Ali didn't think things like that."
Ouch. Although I'm not sure Jackson, whose team plays in Arizona today, would necessarily disagree.
The 10-time NBA champion coach released a statement last Monday saying that he's been "involved in a number of progressive political issues over the years and I respect those who stand up for their beliefs ... but I am wary of putting entire sports organizations in the middle of political controversies."
In other words, he's not discounting Robinson's courage or discrediting his social impact. He's not condemning Ali's conscientious objection to the Vietnam War or contributions to social consciousness.
Jackson's simply saying that politics are not a team sport.
Dr. Harry Edwards thinks differently. Edwards knows sports, having worked with the San Francisco 49ers and Golden State Warriors. And he certainly knows politics, having inspired Tommie Smith and John Carlos' controversial Black Power Salute in the 1968 Olympics.
But the retired Cal sociology professor doesn't think the political activism in sports should be given parameters.
"It doesn't matter if it's an individual fighting against the draconian outrage, or the team, or the entire league," said Edwards, adding that while he is a "tremendous admirer" of Jackson, he was surprised he "totally missed the handle" on the Arizona immigration issue. "Last month, every single player in baseball wore Jackie Robinson's number, honoring his role in the political thrust toward integration. But a team cannot make a statement?"
I argued that there might be Suns players who feel differently about the law and don't feel comfortable associating themselves with its opposition.
"Then they should have said, 'I am wearing this out of commitment to my team, but I am not in fundamental agreement. I wearing this out of loyalty and because I want to support them as we go through the playoffs,' " Edwards said.
Somehow I don't see Goran Dragic being that eloquent.
But Suns owner Robert Sarver, the brainchild of the "Los Suns" solidarity stance, did ask the players if they had a problem wearing the uniforms. They did not.
In fact, Canadian-raised Steve Nash made his views public. Brazilian-born Leandro Barbosa said, "We were happy to do that and think it was a great thing."
Phoenix resident Michelle Olson, volunteering at the Amgen Tour of California cycling race Friday, said that while the city is divided on the law, "No matter what side people were on with the issue, they were excited that the Suns took a stand. I mean, it's grammatically incorrect, but it's still cool" (Olson thinks the jerseys should have read "Los Sols" -- the Spanish word for Suns).
Look, this isn't a column on Arizona's laws and how they compare with federal legislation. It's not commentary dissecting immigration issues and whether Phil Jackson or Robert Sarver has the sounder opinion.
It's simply an examination of sports' and athletes' place in the political realm.
Lakers forward Pau Gasol asserted last week that if one is not informed on an issue, he shouldn't be espousing his views. He later said that even if a professional athlete is educated on the subject, he or she should still be cautious in voicing his opinions because "it can be problematic."
It can also be ridiculous.
It wouldn't be the Dallas Mavericks' place to unite against gay marriage laws. No one cares about the Pittsburgh Pirates' stance on abortion.
But a multi-cultural team from a multi-cultural league in a multi-cultural city drawing attention from around the country for a law that, in part, comes down to race?