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Sixers pondering social-awareness demonstrations

NBA players will probably  have to some sort of demonstration similar to what we saw from other athletes during the National Anthem.

Elton Brand was asked two things about that Monday at the 76ers media day: What has he heard about it? What are his feelings about what a lot of the athletes are doing?

Players are following the example set by San Francisco 49er Colin Kaepernick that began in the preseason. These protests are intended to increase awareness of social injustice, particularly the oppression of African Americans.

But Brand believes the displays will not occur during the anthem.

The 18th-year veteran said players have received emails and text messages from the National Basketball Players Association.

"My opinion is if you want to stand for something, that's a good thing, especially…  the injustices that are going on right now," Brand said.  "Even in our locker room, we are discussing things like this, who feels like what and ways that we can explain how we feel about this.

"So I'm all for it. I stand behind it and stand with the other athletes and people that want to stand for a cause whatever their cause is."

Brand pointed out that the Sixers have several international players on the team. So the team has also discussed standing up for social injustices in the foreign players' countries.

In addition to Monday's team meeting, Brand  said players have received emails and text messages from the National Basketball Players Associations about the development of substantive ways to take meaningful action.

Sixers president Bryan Colangelo said he'll support his players if they decide to express their views.

I've started a new 76ers podcast, "Locked on Sixers." You can listen to the second episode below. I talk to Marc Narducci about the Sixers' logjam at center.

Follow and contact 76ers beat writer Keith Pompey on Twitter @PompeyOnSixers and on Instagram at PompeyOnSixers