MLK Day games have become a huge part of the NBA'S tradition. The league does a great job honoring a man that devoted his life to the advancement of his race, country and people in general.
MLK Day means more to the NBA in comparison to the other three major professional sports leagues in America. The league is predominantly black. Without Dr. King's tireless hours or marching, preaching and spreading the word of equality, the NBA as we know it would not exist. There was a time when teams would make three or four stops before finding a place that would feed the black players. The early days of the NBA were grim.
During the leagues early years, black players were few and far in between. For a black player to make a roster during the 1950's he'd have to outshine white players to the point of no denial. Today players such as LeBron James and Dwayne Wade have become acute businessmen off the court. Shaquille O'Neal has become an entrepreneur in the business world. Even Kobe Bryant has started the process of transitioning into his own corporate entity once retirement becomes a reality.
Frankly, the NBA has benefited from Martin Luther King's contributions tremendously. Dr. King isn't the only person that deserves credit for their efforts during that time period. Any person that ever joined a picket line, marched in unison, joined in on the Montgomery boycott or simply wrote a letter advocating for change deserves credit.
Dr. King and others sacrificed their lives so days like today could be possible. The NBA would not be the same if not for the tireless efforts of Dr. King.
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