The N.B.A. has become known in recent years for its political activism.

Players have worn hooded sweatshirts and “I Can’t Breathe” T-shirts to protest the deaths of unarmed black men in shootings by the police and a neighborhood watch volunteer. Several stars participated in a television advertisement aimed at curtailing gun violence. The league moved the 2017 All-Star Game out of North Carolina in response to a state law that curbed antidiscrimination protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. LeBron James, the league’s biggest star, endorsed and then campaigned with Hillary Clinton in her bid for president.

In other words, players have had few qualms about using the league’s visibility and public platform to speak out about social issues and engage in protest politics.

But some of these gestures seem almost tame in comparison to statements made in the past week by three white, middle-age coaches.

In the wake of a divisive presidential campaign, Golden State’s Steve Kerr, Detroit’s Stan Van Gundy and San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich offered blistering critiques of President-elect Donald J. Trump. Popovich, a graduate of the Air Force Academy, was the latest to weigh in when he was asked about Mr. Trump before the Spurs played the Pistons on Friday night.