NBA, NBPA encourages players' pursuits of social consciousness

In this day and age, more and more professional athletes are taking a stance on certain social issues at the forefront across the nation, most notably in the NFL with players kneeling during the national anthem.

Stemming from that, NBA commissioner Adam Silver and Players Association executive director Michele Roberts sent a letter to the league's players encouraging them in their own respective pursuits of social consciousness.

"None of us operates in a vacuum. Critical issues that affect our society also impact you directly. Fortunately, you are not only the world's greatest basketball players - you have real power to make a difference in the world, and we want you know that the Players Association and the League are always available to help you figure out the most meaningful way to make that difference," said Silver and Roberts in the letter, which was obtained by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

The letter also acknowledged and applauded the work that's being done in local communities, with Basketball Without Borders, and the fundraising for Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.

The NBA and NBPA announced just over a week ago a joint donation of $1 million to organizations supporting Harvey relief.

Following the protests in Charlottesville, Va., last month, which included a large number of white supremacists and neo-Nazis, several players voiced their concerns about the direction the country was heading in. This included LeBron James going after President Donald Trump on social media, accusing him of making hate "fashionable again."

Reigning Rookie of the Year Malcolm Brogdon, Memphis Grizzlies head coach David Fizdale, and Karl-Anthony Towns also didn't shy away from expressing their views on what transpired in Charlottesville.