2 Days & 2 Men

On Martin Luther King Jr.:

AP via ABC

Martin Luther King Day is important because not only does it represent a historical figure but it also reminds us that if you have a dream, it can be realized. Maybe not during your time but it can happen. MLK stood for all of the values that we hope to see in the world today: equality, justice and integrity just to name a few. Having people like him before us helps us to strive to be the best we can. Now in the wake of inaugurating our first African-American President, it seems poetic that it will happen just a day after MLK Jr day. It makes me feel good to know that we’ve come so far and the sky really is the limit.

Michael Cooper:

I was just about to turn 12 years when Martin Luther King delivered his last speech. The thing I respect the most is all what he was able to do with his words and his mind. He was always talking about the fact that violence only multiplies into violence and that this could be done if we as a people change how we think about things. This day is important because it represents a dream that has been realized. It’s important every year but the appointment of Obama as President puts the focus on what he’s meant to our history.

As a coach I can look at what a powerful, motivational and inspiring leader he was and use his tactics in my own methods. As the head coach I have to motivate and inspire the players to be the best that they can be. I appreciate everything about what this day means and what he has meant in helping to change society.

Over the course of two days, the country will remember a great man and welcome another into the White House. Head Coach Michael Cooper and General Manager Penny Toler reflect on the impact of Martin Luther King and share their thoughts on President-Elect Obama.

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On Barack Obama:

Penny Toler:

Change is good and right now it looks like change is going to be great. We’ve all heard Obama talk about the fact that it’s time for a change. It’s amazing how a lot of the things that he talked about during his campaign can be applied to both real life and to basketball. He talks about how we are going to have to pull together as a country to come out of this economic crisis and restore our country to the place it should be.

The Sparks as a team have to pull together to win games and to return our team to Champion status where we should be. He also talks about how he knows that it’s going to take work and sometimes there will be struggles, I look at the season the same way. We will have to work and fight for it because every team is going to come after us. We may struggle at times but the end result is what matters. I’m just very inspired by the man we’ll call our next President and what it means for us as people and for the future of our country.

Michael Cooper:

What makes this such an important week in history is that we have the chance to talk about two great men. Obama is exactly what this country needs to turn it around. I love the fact that he’s a President that we can believe in and that we can trust; I love the fact that he can inspire a generation to stand in line for hours to vote for him. I feel like we’re on the right track towards restoring our country back to prominence and I feel like we have Martin Luther King’s legacy to thank somewhat for this. To watch Obama speak and captivate a nation is very reminiscent of how MLK used to do the same thing.

Inspiring quotes from inspiring men:

Obama:

If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer. It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen; by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the very first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different; that their voice could be that difference.

MLK:

Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. And so we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom. A man can't ride you unless your back is bent.