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Allan Houston, Brevin Knight, Muggsy Bogues reflect on Dr. King's legacy at Grizzlies symposium

evan barnes, memphis commercial appeal
·3 min read

At the end of the Memphis Grizzlies' Earl Lloyd Sports Legacy Symposium, the panelists were asked Monday what they would say to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. if he was alive.

Grizzlies television analyst Brevin Knight would've asked how did King do it? How did King help lead the civil rights movement through non-violence and how would he advise Knight to find a similar role today.

Knight acknowledged that white people can't understand what it means to be Black. But he asked for empathy to see and recognize when things are right and wrong.

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Memphis Grizzlies players wear shirts honoring Martin Luther King Jr. before their game against the Chicago Bulls at FedExForum on the national holiday named for the iconic civil rights leader on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022.
Memphis Grizzlies players wear shirts honoring Martin Luther King Jr. before their game against the Chicago Bulls at FedExForum on the national holiday named for the iconic civil rights leader on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022.

"You do have to know there is a difference. Once you know there's a difference, now I expect for you to be able to say, well, that's not just right," Knight said. "And if you can say that's not right, then they can say that's not right. He can say that's not right and then I feel like now we can get somewhere."

It was one of several observations made during the hour-long panel inside FedExForum. Former NBA players Allan Houston and Muggsy Bogues spoke as two of this year's National Civil Rights Museum's Sports Legacy Award honorees.

Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes, the third honoree, couldn't attend due to travel concerns affected by weather. So Knight filled in as he, Houston and Bogues shared observations related to the holiday.

Houston, who played 12 seasons after four years at Tennessee, admired how well King galvanized people behind common causes. He also learned from the example of his father and college coach Wade Houston, the first Black head basketball coach hired in the Southeastern Conference.

NEW YORK CITY - JANUARY 28: Allan Houston #20 of the New York Knicks shoots during a game played on January 28, 1997 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1997 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

"Going through Starkville, Mississippi, and Baton Rouge and going through the South, watching him deal and handle that with class and dignity was so impactful to me," Houston said. "When I got to the NBA, we spoke one day about figuring out how to pass on the fundamentals and principles that (he) taught me as a player that resonate to life, not just basketball."

Allan Houston is honored as a recepient of the 17th Annual National Civil Rights Museum Sports Legacy Award before the Memphis Grizzliestake on the Chicago Bulls at FedExForum on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022.
Allan Houston is honored as a recepient of the 17th Annual National Civil Rights Museum Sports Legacy Award before the Memphis Grizzliestake on the Chicago Bulls at FedExForum on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022.

Bogues, a 14-year NBA veteran, reflected on taking a tour of the museum Sunday. He was in awe of how much people endured to seek basic rights and dignity.

"It's mind-boggling that one person could feel superior over another person. We all bleed the same and we all can love and hate the same," Bogues said. "It's unbelievable that it's still being taught in the household. In order for us to change, we need everybody on board."

Muggsy Bogues is honored as a recepient of the 17th Annual National Civil Rights Museum Sports Legacy Award before the Memphis Grizzliestake on the Chicago Bulls at FedExForum on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022.
Muggsy Bogues is honored as a recepient of the 17th Annual National Civil Rights Museum Sports Legacy Award before the Memphis Grizzliestake on the Chicago Bulls at FedExForum on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022.

The museum also left a mark on Houston and Knight. Houston noticed how similar the fights of the 1950s and '60s were to today in terms of fighting for voting rights.

Knight, who has been to the museum several times, said each trip makes him sad and angry for the same reason. In his mind, honoring King's memory means change has to come from people with power to fix the issues, not just from people upset about those concerns.

Memphis Grizzlies announcer Brevin Knight holds up a 'Ya Hear Me' towel before the team takes on the Utah Jazz for Game 3 of their playoff series on Saturday, May 29, 2021.
Memphis Grizzlies announcer Brevin Knight holds up a 'Ya Hear Me' towel before the team takes on the Utah Jazz for Game 3 of their playoff series on Saturday, May 29, 2021.

"Until there is some level of change higher up, the people that really influence things ... we can keep doing what we're doing at this ground level but until something changes higher up, I feel like we're going to keep fighting the same fight," Knight said.

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You can reach Evan Barnes on Twitter (@Evan_B) or by email at evan.barnes@commercialappeal.com

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Former NBA greats reflect on Dr. King's legacy at Memphis Grizzlies symposium