NBA stars appear in 'End Gun Violence' PSAs

The NBA is continuing its efforts to be a more socially conscious league, partnering with Everytown for Gun Safety to create a series of ads to combat rampant gun violence in the United States.

All-Stars Stephen Curry, Chris Paul, Joakim Noah, and Carmelo Anthony appeared in PSAs to speak out against gun violence.

None of the ads mention specific policy recommendations, but the league's stance is evident. Everytown for Gun Safety is one of the country's leading voices against the National Rifle Association.

Most importantly, the league not only lent four of its biggest stars from four of its biggest markets, but also lent its logo and name to the cause - a first among the four major North American sports leagues.

Curry, the league's leading scorer and possibly its most visible star, spoke about his experience as a parent.

"As a parent of two little girls, anytime you hear of somebody (that's) not even involved in an altercation, or someone not even involved in a dispute, and getting caught in the middle of a stray bullet, or what have you, that hurts," Curry said. "I don't know what I would do if I got a call, and my daughter's gone. No parent should ever have to go through that."

Anthony, who took part in the march on behalf of Freddie Gray's death, shared his own experiences with gun violence.

"I could have been a victim ... I was there. I've seen it. Every day it was somebody else getting killed, so you become immune to that. By the grace of God, I had other outlets, and basketball took me a different route," Anthony said. "But now that I get older, and I'm starting to look back, from the outside looking in - something's gotta give. We gotta put an end to that."

Noah and Paul also participated in PSAs. See them here and here.

President Barack Obama praised the move by the league.

- With h/t to The New York Times