The NBA on Thursday tipped off league-wide celebrations honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and those celebrations will run through Monday.
A civil rights leader, activist and minister, Dr. King is best known for advancing civil rights through non-violence until he was assassinated on Apr. 4, 1968.
The Dallas Mavericks paid homage to Dr. King during Friday’s 120-112 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers at American Airlines Center with video tributes from some of his speeches, and words of praise from their players that were shown on the arena’s big screen.
Dr. King’s legacy wasn’t lost on veteran forward Justin Jackson.
“He represented unity, he represented equality, treating people in a way that we would want to be treated,” Jackson said. “I think he paved the way for that mindset.
“Obviously the big things that he did – speeches and kind of the hurdles that he got over to be able to make this world a better place — I think are the biggest things that I take away from him.”
Guard Delon Wright relishes the thought that Dr. King – who would have turned 91 last Wednesday — won the Nobel Peace Prize for his constant fight to combat racial inequality.
“He wanted everybody to be equal and I think that’s really good because that’s what I was brought up on — treating everybody equal and everybody having the same opportunities,” Wright said. “He fought for that. Even when it was hard to fight for it he still continued to preach his message.”
Asked what Dr. King would think about the state of the world if he was alive today, Jackson said: “I think he would say that we have taken steps forward, especially from the time that he was coming up. But I think he would say that we still have a good way to go. Obviously, him fighting for equality, I don’t think we’ll get to the point where everybody feels we’ve accomplished the highest mark of that as far as unity and equality.
“But I think each and every day, each one of us as people can strive for living that way. So I think if he were to be here he’ll have that same mindset. We’ve come a long way from his big speeches, but we can still do better.”
Wright agreed.
“I think he’ll be happy because of where it was when he passed and where it is now,” Wright said. “Kids are going to school together of different races.
“Whatever the case may be, I think he’ll be proud. But there’s also room for improvement.”
PORZINGIS UPDATE: Forward Kristaps Porzingis missed his 10th consecutive game Friday night with soreness in his right knee. So what’s actually causing the soreness?
“I don’t have details on that,” coach Rick Carlisle said. “Over the period of what is it — two-plus weeks — he’s made considerable improvement.
“He participated in a live practice (on Monday) the day we left (for San Francisco), and the other thing that’s been an issue is he had a couple of days of illness mixed in with it. That never helps. That’s where we are.”
The Mavs thought Porzingis was going to play in Wednesday’s game in Sacramento. But the plug was pulled when he didn’t feel right during pregame warmups.
“I know that in his workouts, he’s doing a lot of lifting,” Carlisle said. “He’s running, and he’s been tolerating all that stuff better and better as time has gone on.
“He had a good day today (Friday) and we’re just going to continue moving forward. We’ll see where we are come Tuesday (when the Mavs host the Los Angeles Clippers).”
TIMETABLE ON BROEKHOFF UNKNOWN: While media members were constantly asking Carlisle about Porzingis, he wanted to know why no one was asking him about forward Ryan Broekhoff, who has missed the last 10 games after fracturing his left fibula Dec. 29.
Then, someone promptly asked Carlisle about Broekhoff.
“Thanks for asking,” Carlisle said. “A freak thing at the end of the (Lakers’) game. It was a non-displaced hairline fracture. The feeling was that the timetable was somewhere in the month – three to four weeks – and then everybody tends to be a little different with how they heal, but he’s been doing better.
“He’s been doing some light shooting, he’s been doing a little more stuff on the treadmill, his activity is ramping up gradually. My hope is he’ll be ready to play sometime in the not too distant future, but I don’t know what the timetable is.”
STOTTS: DONCIC SHOULDN’T BE COMPARED TO NOWITZKI: Portland Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts said people got it all wrong if they’re comparing Luka Doncic to Dirk Nowitzki.
“I’m sure a lot of people bring up Dirk, but I don’t think anybody’s comparing him to Dirk,” said Stotts, an assistant coach with the Mavs from 2008-’12. “They’re different players, different style.
“What Luka’s doing is incredible. The numbers he’s putting up at his age it’s hard to put into context. He handles himself so well with the ball. “
Doncic handled himself so well Friday night that he finished with 35 points, eight rebounds and seven assists as the Mavs defeated the Blazers, 120-112.
“He engages his teammates,” Stotts said of Doncic. “Obviously he takes what the game gives him whether it’s scoring or passing.
“And his rebounding from that position is phenomenal.”
Twitter: @DwainPrice
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