NBA Won’t Allow Kneeling During National Anthem
The NFL’s completely inept mishandling of the national anthem protests that have now shifted into an open resistance against President Trump may have permanently damaged the league but has served as a great example to others on what NOT to do.
Like the National Basketball Association which contrary to what some may believe, is not the LeBron James Basketball Association.
While it may not go over well with many of the players in a league that is overwhelmingly black, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has made it clear that he expects them to stand when the national anthem is played.
NBA sends memo reminding teams of rule that players must stand for national anthem. https://t.co/8SoEnN9qNY
— The Associated Press (@AP) September 30, 2017
As reported by the Associated Press “Silver expects NBA players to stand during national anthem”:
Adam Silver expects NBA players to continue standing for the national anthem.
Not only because it’s a league rule, but because they are aware of what it means in what the commissioner believes is a divided America.
“Many of our players have spoken out already about their plan to stand for the anthem,” Silver said Thursday. “And I think they understand how divisive an issue it is in our society right now.”
Silver said the playing of the national anthem has always been a time for respect and reflection — even in a league where 25 percent of the players are not American — and recalled that many teams locked arms last season.
He wants them to continue showing unity during the anthem — but to do it while standing.
“It’s been a rule as long as I’ve been involved with the league, and my expectation is that our players will continue to stand for the anthem,” he said.
Silver didn’t say what would happen if any players refuse to stand, adding: “If that were to happen, we’ll deal with it when it happens.”
Silver’s decree will no doubt result in much caterwauling from mouthy players the likes of James and Stephen Curry who despite his $201 million-dollar contract acts as oppressed as if he were an abused slave getting whipped and being forced to pick cotton on some nineteenth-century plantation.
One must admit that such a declaration is a bit of a stunner coming from the NBA of all leagues but it shows that unlike their cohorts in the NFL, this league’s owners don’t want to deal with TV ratings plunges, jersey burning parties and most importantly of all – a loss of revenue.
Sucks for you LeBron!
