The NBA has been lauded as one of the more progressive sports leagues in the country more times than not. Commissioner Adam Silver has done his best to allow the players, teams, and fans to be who they are without fear of ridicule or exile. During the month of February, the league acknowledges Black History Month. The league has championed and continued to improve on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day slate of games.
With T-shirts and television programming, there is something to be said about how the NBA attempts to embrace its core demographic. The games do an excellent job of showcasing the community work NBA players take part in, as well. The games on the holiday have been a prominent part of the NBA schedule for some time.
The games begin early in the day, ending in prime time. Throughout the day, the league promotes the history of the Civil Rights movement with interviews that feature prominent Civil Rights leaders and Black activists. Andrew Young, Bernice King, and John Lewis have all been a part of the day in the past. Teams such as the Atlanta Hawks and the Memphis Grizzlies have been constants.
The league has announced the full NBA schedule; the following games are to be televised on the Martin Luther King Holiday, January 15th, 2017:
Charlotte Hornets @ Detroit Pistons 12:30 P.M. ET (NBA TV)
San Antonio Spurs @ Atlanta Hawks 3 P.M. ET (NBA TV)
Los Angeles Lakers @ Memphis Grizzlies 5:30 P.M. ET (TNT)
Golden State Warriors @ Cleveland Cavaliers 8 P.M. ET (TNT)
Houston Rockets @ Los Angeles Clippers 10:30 P.M. ET (TNT)
