I'd kneel for national anthem - Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on from the bench late in the fourth quarter against the Utah Jazz at Staples Centre on April 13, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. PHOTO | HARRY HOW | AFP
What you need to know:
- Bryant himself weighed in on Trump's remarks last week via Twitter.
- Bryant retired in 2016 after two decades with Los Angeles where he won five NBA championships.
LOS ANGELES
Los Angeles Lakers great Kobe Bryant said he would kneel during the pre-game national anthem if he was still playing in the NBA.
Bryant, appearing on The Hollywood Reporter's Awards Chatter podcast released on Wednesday, responded during a series of rapid-fire questions "kneel" when asked what he would do.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver has said he expects the players in the league to stand during the anthem, and the league issued a memo to teams offering suggestions on how they might address the current political climate when the season opens this month.
Demonstrations during the anthem have become a hot topic across sports after US President Donald Trump bitterly criticised NFL players who declined to stand for "The Star-Spangled Banner" to draw attention to racial injustice.
Bryant himself weighed in on Trump's remarks last week via Twitter.
"A #POTUS whose name alone creates division and anger. Whose words inspire dissension and hatred can't possibly "Make America Great Again"," Bryant tweeted.
Bryant retired in 2016 after two decades with Los Angeles where he won five NBA championships.
In their pre-season games so far, the Lakers have stood with locked arms during the anthem.
