Duncan, Robinson join Spurs in sharing message of unity

The San Antonio Spurs continue to set the standard in sports for addressing political issues.

Ahead of Wednesday's season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the teams stood for "The Star-Spangled Banner" and locked arms afterward, with Spurs legends Tim Duncan and David Robinson joining in.

(Photo courtesy: Adrian Garcia/Twitter)

(Photo courtesy: Manu Ginobili/Twitter)

Above them, the following message of unity appeared on the jumbotron:

There are things happening in our communities that need our attention.

We understand your desire to attend our games as an escape and chosen form of entertainment. In that, we feel there is significant commonality in all of us that allows our community to be so special.

That commonality should include aspirations for social justice, freedom of speech in its many forms, and equal opportunity for education and economic advancement regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or religion.

It is our hope that we can, as a community, inspire and evoke real change. We ask that you join with us in your daily lives in the pursuit of equality.

And in that, we honor our country by exercising demands for what this great nation has promised and what our military continues to fight for.

The Spurs players decided to share the message, and Duncan showed up just so he could be part of it, a league source told ESPN's Michael C. Wright.

They also wanted to defend head coach Gregg Popovich, who's been openly critical of President Donald Trump and has received blowback as a result.

"Obviously, we have heard that he's gotten some backlash," Danny Green said, according to Wright. "But regardless, he's speaking out for us. And we have to speak out for him and back him for him taking a stand. Obviously, some of his comments have been criticized. But we felt we should do something. ... I said we've got to back our coach, especially when he's speaking out for us."

Related: Popovich calls President Trump a 'soulless coward'

Popovich appreciated the positive reception from the fans at AT&T Center.

"I want to congratulate our fans on the way they reacted at the beginning of the game after the national anthem was played," he said following the 107-99 victory.

"They obviously also buy into the messages that were set up on the jumbotron. I'm so proud to be in this city when we have fans that understand that it's important for everybody. Kudos to our fans."