Williams: Clips were going to bring 'everybody or nobody' to NBA restart

Los Angeles Clippers guard Lou Williams seriously considered sitting out the remainder of the 2019-20 season. Had the 14-year veteran opted not to play, his teammates would've followed suit.

"We spoke as the group. We spoke as a team. And we decided that our decision was going to be everybody or nobody," Williams told reporters Saturday. "So, once we sat down, we had a conversation. We decided to take a vote. And we just had more things in common and we just decided that we were going to come (to Orlando) as a group.

"I'm part of the group. I have a lot of thoughts and ideas of the things that I felt strongly about personally, but I represent a group. I represent an organization. And so, ultimately, that led to my decision."

Williams was conflicted about participating in the NBA's restart due to the coronavirus pandemic and ongoing social unrest. The 33-year-old had some doubts about whether or not the league would allow him and his peers to protest while they were in Orlando.

The Association has since agreed to paint "Black Lives Matter" inside both sidelines of all courts that will host games. All participating players can also place a personalized social justice message on the back of their jerseys.

"That's progression. I'm happy to know that I work for a company that stands alongside the minorities that's in this country and want to make a bold statement like that," Williams said. "Obviously, they have a lot of sponsors ... and some people may not feel that way. But I thought it was important for the NBA to listen to the players, listen to our voices, and put the things in motion that we felt strongly about and stand next to us with those issues."