“Same method we kneel.” I choose to keep that to myself,” Popovich politely stated when asked about his choice to stand throughout the anthem. “Everybody has to make an individual choice. Everyone has the freedom to respond any way that they want. NBA commissioner Adam Silver verified Thursday that the league will not implement that rule in the bubble.
The San Antonio Spurs joined the rest of the NBA in kneeling for the national anthem ahead of their Friday video game against the Sacramento Kings, but there were a couple of noticeable holdouts in the form of head coach Gregg Popovich and assistant coach Becky Hammon. They joined Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac and Miami Heat big man Meyers Leonard as the only four team figures not to kneel as of Saturday, however Spurs guard DeMar DeRozan asked fans not to damn Popovich or Hammon for their decisions..
“Same method we kneel. Do not take away nothing from those men.
” You know Pop speaks out. Everybody has their own right of making a statement and you cant damn nobody for not doing what the other group is doing.
Popovich did not offer a description for his choice, instead selecting to keep his thoughts to himself..
” I choose to keep that to myself,” Popovich nicely stated when asked about his decision to stand during the anthem. “Everybody needs to make a personal choice. The league has been excellent about that. Everyone has the liberty to respond any way that they desire. For whatever factors that I have, I responded the method I wished to.”.
NBA guidelines technically restrict kneeling during the anthem. However, NBA commissioner Adam Silver confirmed Thursday that the league will not impose that guideline in the bubble. “I respect our teams unified act of tranquil protest for social justice and under these special scenarios will not enforce our long-standing guideline needing standing during the playing of our nationwide anthem,” Silver said, according to Yahoo Sports Chris Haynes..
Popovich has been outspoken on a range of social justice matters recently but is a graduate of the Air Force Academy and the head coach for USA Basketballs senior mens group. He served five years in the Air Force upon graduating.
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Highlights: Kings vs. Spurs
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