Scott Brooks to discuss anthem protest with Wizards

Washington Wizards head coach Scott Brooks is prepared to have a discussion with his players regarding their feelings on national anthem protests during the upcoming season.

"The NBA has protocol and rules that we all have to abide by, but I’m a believer in peaceful protest in a respectful way. I really think with all that’s going on, change needs to be made," Brooks told Candace Buckner of The Washington Post. "But I’m also a believer that athletes shouldn’t be used as a symbol if they’re not going to put action in place.

"It’s one thing to talk about it, but if you’re not going to do something to help make the change, what good is that? To me, that’s shallow and hollow. I don’t know (if) that’s what he’s doing. I haven’t studied Kaepernick. I have a lot of respect for guys who have conviction and when they talk it means something. I was teammates of (Hakeem) Olajuwon. The guy hardly said anything but when he spoke, you knew … you did something wrong and you want to make it right with him."

Based on the amount of attention given to NFL protests thus far, Brooks feels it's important to acknowledge the issues.

"I will definitely have dialogue with our team within today or tomorrow with some of our guys," he said. "To me, when you don’t have dialogue then … in your own mind, a lot of things can take place from the silence. So I want to make sure it’s out. We talk about it as a group. I think it’s important for us, not necessarily because we’re athletes (but) we’re men. These guys are going to have families one day. They’re going to have kids. I have kids. I like to talk about subjects that are important."

And if the Wizards do protest the anthem, Brooks wants his players to do more than just talk.

"If you’re going to have a stance,” Brooks said, “back it up with some action."