At a time in America where racial tension, from Ferguson to New York City to Cleveland and beyond, seems to be at a fever pitch, the holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. couldn't have come at a better time.
NBA basketball, especially the rare Monday matinee game, has become a staple of MLK Day over the years. This year, however, multiple teams went out of their way to recognize the gravity of the holiday and the man who lends it his name.
Kyle Lowry and James Johnson sported custom-made shoes that featured inspirational basketball quotes from former NBA great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The two debuted the new kicks on Monday in honor of Dr. King, and plan to wear them throughout their slate of games during February's Black History Month.
The shoes both Kyle Lowry & James Johnson will wear tonight on #MLKDay and during Black History Month. #RTZ pic.twitter.com/JdQo0HOrxR
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 20, 2015
However, it was the Atlanta Hawks that had the most moving tribute of the night. King himself was born and raised in the city, so the day carries added significance there. The Hawks organization didn't disappoint, projecting a visual tribute to MLK on the hardwood during pregame introductions.
Nicely done, Hawks. RT @ATLHawks: Video of today's introductions: https://t.co/56503eAzOV pic.twitter.com/Oj6tUCcRSG — Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) January 20, 2015
Watch a clip of the Hawks' tribute below:
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