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Memphis Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins saw a televised interview on Friday in which Tyre Nichols’ mother lost control of her emotions as she spoke about losing her son.
“I cried,” said Jenkins.
Anger, frustration, sadness and outrage were evident around the NBA on Friday when the video showed the murder of five Memphis police officers by five Memphis police officers. Several teams have released statements of support for their families, as has the National Basketball Players Association.
And, as has been the case many times after many other incidents of police violence against black men and women in recent years, the sentiment around the league was palpable.
Miami coach Eric Spoelstra held a pre-game press conference on Friday to talk about Nichols before any questions were asked.
All police officers, who are also black, face charges of second-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct, and official repression. And the Grizzlies played a game in Minneapolis — after a white police officer pressed his knee on Floyd’s neck in an act that sparked protests around the world against police brutality and racism. The city where Floyd was murdered – Hearts pounding on Friday night.
“The senseless loss of Tyre Nichols’ life has hit us hard,” Jenkins told Grizzlies broadcast partner Barry Sports in a pregame interview from Minnesota. “It’s hard being on the road instead of being at home. I wish I could reach out to my family through this camera right now. They’re going through a lot.”
A moment of silence was observed before the game in Minnesota. Several teams have released statements, including Miami, Atlanta, Cleveland, Minnesota and Milwaukee.
In a statement, the Bucks said, “We are outraged at the fatal beating Tyre Nichols received from five Memphis police officers.” , this case further underscores the need to improve police-community relations.”
Nicholls was stopped by police on January 7 while he was walking home from taking pictures of the sky. He was just minutes from the house where he lived with his mother and his stepfather.
A video of the killing was released Friday night. It wasn’t immediately clear if the Grizzlies watched the video before the game.
“As the entire Memphis community processes and copes with this horrific tragedy, we express our deepest sympathies and support the justifiable arrests of all officers involved,” the NBPA said. Aggressive crackdowns and excessive force demonstrate the continuing need for accountability in the justice system.”
The union said it would “continue to monitor the investigation and legal process in its quest for justice for Tyre and his family.”
Nicholls’ mother, Law Vaughan Wells, warned supporters about the “horrifying” nature of the video, but called for peace.
Jenkins also said he hopes the citizens of Memphis can rally together.
“My words mean only so much,” said Jenkins. “I want to continue to encourage people to put their arms around each other, hug the Nichols family, the Wells family, and remember the beautiful life they had at Tyre Nichols. .”
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