The sports world has been overtaken by Colin Kaperenick’s protest in the NFL. The San Francisco 49ers’ quarterback has recently decided to kneel during the playing of the national anthem in order to call for social justice and changes.
The NBA and its affiliates have taken notice. Several players have expressed their support for Kaep while others have predicted that similar protests will occur once the season begins.
The NBA itself has a mandatory rule requiring players and coaches to stand up during the anthem. However, it has been working with the NBPA to find a solution that allows players to express their right to protest.
Teams have begun taking their own approach to the situation. The Warriors have planned a panel discussion for their players in order to discuss the issues behind the protest.
Meanwhile, the Thunder are publicly making a request to their players.
General manager Sam Presti, via Royce Young of ESPN:
“Our viewpoint on it is obviously we’ve had players and staff stand for the national anthem over the past eight years. We’d love to see that continue. At the same time, our players have the opportunity and ability to express themselves as people, and we respect that above all.”
It’s good to hear the Thunder will at least honor the players’ right to protest. It is a little discouraging that they are passive-aggressively demanding (but not really demanding) that the players stand for the anthem. The underlying message in Presti’s comments is pretty clear.
Nevertheless, Thunder players will have the ability to voice their opinions whether their employers agree or not. That’s not a bad deal.
