Portland Trail Blazers star point guard Damian Lillard is wearing "How Many More" on the back of his jersey during the NBA's restart in Orlando as a protest against police brutality.
If it were up to him, however, the back of his jersey would look much different.
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Lillard, an Oakland native, hoped to honor the late Oscar Grant. When Grant, a Black man, was just 22 years old, he was killed in the early morning hours of New Year's Day in 2009 by BART Police Officer Johannes Mehserle in Oakland. Grant's death was turned into the award-winning movie, "Fruitvale Station" in 2013.
The five-time All-Star wasn't allowed to wear Grant's name on his jersey, though. The NBA is allowing players to wear social justice messages on the back of their jersey, but they must come from a pre-approved list.
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The NBA has painted "Black Lives Matter" on the courts in Orlando. Players and coaches are showing unity, with many kneeling together during the national anthem. And voices have been heard throughout interviews, with many calling for the arrest of Breonna Taylor's murderers.
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But if the league is going to help choose how you can protest, it falls short. There's no reason why Lillard shouldn't be allowed to honor Oscar Grant on the back of his jersey.
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