RealGM

How would you feel? The climate today is more conducive to Kaepernick seeing copycats than it was for Mahmoud Abdul Rauf back in the day, and it's possible we start seeing this (unless the NBA has a rule im not aware of)?

Would you like that player more, less, or zero difference? Personally a lot of it to me depends on the messenger, what player it is and where I think the motivation stems from.... I've always viewed Kaepernick as a wannabe counter culture icon who has been trying too hard since day 1 to gain that status based on some of his actions in the past and the way he presents himself, so I'm a bit conflicted about his actual motivation. From afar I kind of view him as immature and read this mostly as an attempt to seem "cool" to those he views as such. I don't know the guy, but that's my read from afar. I had certain perceptions about him before this whole scenario took place, and this only enforces some of them...

So what if your favorite player pulled a Kap?

This is a basketball board, what the hell is pulling a kap?

Wouldn't care.

Personally, I think there are better ways to get your message out than by disrespecting your countries national anthem,but it honestly wouldn't matter to me... America is the only country that tolerates that kind of BS though. You'd never see another countries athlete disrespecting the country like that.

Playing the countries anthem before a game seems so pointless. In a lot of leagues like the NBA players come from all over the world.

Nationalism at sporting events makes me want to puke. The national anthem shouldn't be sung. I don't stand and sing as a spectator at events and I wouldn't be standing if I was a player. I have respect for any player willing to go through the backlash of ignorant fans who will say stupid crap like "if you don't love America why don't you leave?". Unfortunately America is full of these people.

His action does nothing to really change the social issues in the country. However, what it absolutely does is to divide up the locker room. Clearly, he is not thinking about the effect that this will have on his team.

you're an idiot if you think taking issue with Kap (and not even necessarily issue with his actions in this particular instance) makes someone a white supremacist. A grade A mental midget who just likes to use racial buzz words

To me the messenger matters. I don't think Kap is a great messenger.

I'd love it

I just googled this guy. What an idiot. I'm not American but this pissed me off.

Need a Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf fan to tell us.

Either way, since what Kaepernick was trying to do was use his position to draw attention to societal injustice, in whatever small way he could, your answer should be "I don't have a problem with it". It might not have a huge impact, you can question the effectiveness of the gesture, but it was something and it's got people talking, and maybe it will get people thinking.

Starting a conversation or keeping a conversation going about the injustice in society isn't bad. This is how you keep the media going on these types of subjects. I'd be fine with it.

Cue a bunch of people talking about those who died for a flag, if you want to die for a flag then do it for your own reasons just like if someone wants to kill their own public perception for a cause then they should be allowed to. Don't get bent out of shape if people don't want to follow your flag or your cause, stay in your lane.

My respect for the athlete would rise.

By virtually every statistical measurement blacks have a better life in America than any other country in the world. Kap is just a weak mind who buys the left wing narrative that blacks live oppressed lives here.

Well Josh Howard's career took a major dive

Its just not advisory to "pull a Kaep.."

Personally I like sports separated from politics. So it starts with the American anthem during games, and ends with the player using the anthem during the game as a platform for personal political views. I dislike both, but blame this political instrument during games more than the young player, who just cares. I would prefer and respect players using political platforms, like party conventions, political websites, etc. to express their views.

My respect, and admiration would definitely increase for the player. More athletes need to, and should do what he did.

FirePjax wrote:By virtually every statistical measurement blacks have a better life in America than any other country in the world. Kap is just a weak mind who buys the left wing narrative that blacks live oppressed lives here.

Right, just because black people have better lives here than other places, doesn't mean that they're necessarily treated fairly. Don't judge if you haven't walked the same path.

I mean, I cast no judgement with this comment, but what Americans consider "patriotic duty" would be considered proto-fascism in most cultures.

I'm a big homer, so I'd probably justify it someway in my head. Now if my least favorite player did it? That's a different story.