Jamal Murray Pays Tribute to George Floyd, Breonna Taylor With Custom Sneakers
By Liam McKeone
The NBA restart in Orlando was very heavy on social justice before the events of this week unfolded. Now, players and teams will both be doing even more in the battle against the issues plaguing our society and will not hesitate to be vocal about the issues they're passionate about.
Jamal Murray did so today with a pair of sneakers he placed on his stool for a few minutes before his media availability. The sneakers are adorned with the likeness of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. Floyd was killed in May by police and was the catalyst for a wave of protest and calls for change across the country that still continue. Taylor was killed by Louisville police in March and Justice For Breonna Taylor has become a rallying call for many in the NBA and WNBA.
#BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/j2C5yP1AxK
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) August 29, 2020
It's unclear if Murray plans to wear them during the Denver Nuggets' Game 6 matchup with the Utah Jazz, slated to tip off at 6:30 ET tonight. This is what he had to say to media about them.
“How long was that? Two minutes? One person on those shoes had a knee on their neck for eight. You just got to think about that.”
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 29, 2020
Jamal Murray on starting his media availability by placing a custom pair of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor shoes on a stool and walking off @brkicks pic.twitter.com/QnRoES135G
Another powerful and important message in a week chalk full of them from the NBA and the men who make it up. We'll be seeing even more in the coming days, weeks, and months. The battle for justice and equality does not stop, and will not stop.