Every team in the NBA has made a statement on the George Floyd killing, save for the Knicks and the Spurs. At least in the case of San Antonio, coach Gregg Popovich has provided his thoughts on the matter. As we all know, the owner of the Knicks - James Dolan - is also the owner of the Rangers. Late Monday, an internal memo was leaked, providing some insight - determine your own view on how satisfactory this is - as to why this is the case. From the tweet below, Knicks players and employees find Dolan's rationale as insufficient while no specific word has come out on how the Blueshirts' feel. But we have seen a few Rangers provide their thoughts, which is more than we can say for the organization at this moment.
I'm told that Knicks players and employees are furious that the team hasn't made a public statement about George Floyd. And I just obtained the e-mail that owner Jim Dolan sent to MSG employees today defending the organization's decision to stay silent: pic.twitter.com/xG1BA7tV5V
— Pablo S. Torre (@PabloTorre) June 2, 2020
When every team in the league as well as the commissioner's office provide a statement, by not releasing one you are making a statement. Not every team's comment has been positively received, at time drawing criticism for the failure to touch on every key point or take those at fault to task. We are at a crossroads, unfortunately, the country has been there before. But each event is cumulative and adds another layer to the unfortunate history in our country. The advent of the immediate news cycle has brought a new dynamic and light to plight of others and need for better human relations and decency / fairness to all.
In this specific case, seeing how poorly the Rangers handled the racist comments made to K'Andre Miller in Zoom, one would have hoped that the team would be more at the forefront at condemning the tragedy. But all we have received is silence. Make a statement, any statement, even one that doesn't touch perfectly or in general on every note, condemning racism, calling for better unity as a people, the need to listen to one another, be compassionate and tolerant of each others.
In case you need a model on how to comport yourself in this situation, here is what Miller tweeted, showing passion and pain.
Black Lives Matter. pic.twitter.com/8RFWwSEaaE
— K'Andre Miller (@kandre_miller) June 1, 2020
Tony DeAngelo has been a polarizing member to some, due to his political leanings. It would have been very easy and maybe easier for him to stay silent because of knowing how he is viewed, which he notes in his tweet. Regardless of your view of him, I thought he hit the right notes and highlighted how many feel.
Thoughts on the current situation. pic.twitter.com/3Keth5pqKp
— Tony DeAngelo (@TonyDee07) June 2, 2020
Eric Ciccolini, picked in the seventh round of last year's draft, provided his thoughts:
Enoughis enough #BlackLivesMatter @umichhockey pic.twitter.com/D7IEyP5Bpf
— Eric Ciccolini (@eric_ciccolini) June 2, 2020
Jonathan Toews provided a perfect message:
#Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews’ statement on Instagram. pic.twitter.com/hCkhNMunmu
— Brandon Cain (@brandonmcain) June 1, 2020
Dolan, the ball/puck in in your court. How you ultimately handle this will impact the future view and perception of you, which to date has been less than positive. Putting it in terms he understands, failure to say anything could impact your bottom line since some of the fanbase could take out their dissatisfaction by not renewing or buying seats or purchasing product at MSG. Time still remains to right the wrong on not sending a message to date.