Lakers speak about what Martin Luther King, Jr. means to them

The Los Angeles Lakers begin every game the same way. Arms interlocked, the team stands near their baseline during the national anthem in a practice they’ve continued since the preseason (when national anthem protests were a heavy part of news cycle) to show that they all stand together.

It was a message of inclusiveness and togetherness in the face of racial prejudice in the United States, so it shouldn’t be surprising that the team had thoughts they wanted to share on Martin King, Jr. day.

“Martin Luther King is a staple in American history, not just African-American history,” said Lakers center Tarik Black (who recently obtained his Master’s Degree in African-American studies from the University of Kansas) in a video released by the Lakers on social media. “He changed this country for the better and what he promoted I stand behind 100 percent.”

Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle, and Luol Deng also spoke in the video:

The Lakers might not be playing in a game on a day the league has often showcases itself on national TV, but this video gave Lakers players the opportunity to share their thoughts on the civil rights pioneer.

“We all come together by respecting and acknowledging each other,” Deng said.

Harrison Faigen is co-host of the Locked on Lakers podcast (subscribe here), and you can follow him on Twitter at @hmfaigen.