Los Angeles (AFP)

San Antonio Spurs (NBA) coach Gregg Popovich lashed out at Donald Trump's inability to describe "the life of black people counts" and "d 'unify people', after the death of George Floyd.

After LeBron James and Michael Jordan, who notably rebelled in the last few days after the homicide by a white police officer of this unarmed black man, Popovich, a declared opponent of the American president, strongly condemned his attitude.

"If Trump had a brain, even if he was 99% cynical, he would go out and say something to unify people. But he doesn't care about bringing people together. Even now. That's how upset he is. Everything revolves around him. It depends on what benefits him personally. It is never for the good of all, "he told The Nation website.

"It is clear, however, what must be done. We need a president who simply says that" the life of blacks counts + ". But he will not do it. He cannot because it is more important to him to calm the small group of followers who validate his madness, "he added.

For the past six days, Donald Trump has been confronted with the most serious civil unrest in his mandate. Promising to restore order in the United States, he denounced on Monday "acts of internal terrorism".

"He is not only a source of division. He is a destroyer. (...) That is why he hides in the basement of the White House. He is a coward. He creates a situation and runs away like a college boy. In fact, you better ignore him. There is nothing he can do to improve that, because of what he is: a deranged idiot, "said Popovich who won five NBA titles with the Spurs.

He also pointed to stagnation when faced with the problem of racism. "What strikes me is that we all see this police violence and this racism, and we have seen this before, but nothing changes. That is why these protests have been so explosive. But without leadership, without understanding the problem, there will never be a change. "

"And white Americans have avoided taking this problem into account since always, because we had the privilege of avoiding it. That too must change," he called.

An official autopsy report released on Monday said that George Floyd, 46, had died "by homicide" because of "pressure on his neck".

"In other words, he was murdered," tweeted Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr, who plays with Popovich, Lloyd Pearce (Atlanta Hawks) and ex-coaches David Fizdale and Stan Van Gundy, d '' a committee created by the National Association of American Basketball Coaches (NBCA), responsible for reflecting on various actions to combat racial violence and intolerance in the American cities where NBA teams play.

"We are committed to working with local officials and authorities to create positive change in our communities. We have the power and the platform to influence change, and we will use it," said the coaches' statement.

© 2020 AFP