The subject of much controversy in the NBA, the question of the anthem before the game has not really been talked about in recent months. However, 2 players have taken the habit of voluntarily avoiding the fateful moment – a gesture however prohibited by the regulations.
Symbol wavering from the bubble and the Black Lives Matter movement, the American anthem played before each NBA game has regained some stability. The last big controversy dates back to February, when the Mavs decided to do without the “Star Spangled Banner” before the tip-off. Adam Silver then cracked a call to order, explaining that all franchises had to play the anthem before a match.
All do, but all the players … are not always there. In a paper for GQ, reporter Matt Sullivan reveals that throughout the season, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant found a way to escape the time of the national anthem.
After returning to competition in January, Kyrie Irving began to disappear from pre-match warm-ups 10 minutes before the initial jump ball, regaining one of the arena tunnels and missing the national anthem.
Kevin Durant followed in silence about a minute later, as the broadcast played the commercials and the lights went out to make way for the anthem. DeAndre Jordan did the same, then ran back in time for the introduction of the 5 majors.
Irving and Jordan declined a comment on this article, and Kevin Durant’s entourage did not return a list of questions. Five sources confirm that these “disappearances” lasted all season, until elimination against the Bucks.
Comments confirmed on video, with a few examples below – first of all Kevin Durant who left the warm-up prematurely, then DeAndre Jordan who returned at the last moment before the announcement of the holders:
June: Here’s DeAndre Jordan hustling back oncourt as the lights come up after the anthem at Game 2 of Nets playoffs series vs. Bucks.
DJ used to stand there and remember a friend who died in a car accident but hasn’t been out for The Star-Spangled Banner this year. (9/15) pic.twitter.com/yDTZWShy3c
— Matt Sullivan (@sullduggery) June 24, 2021
Did the NBA know? Nobody knows. But with the news now leaking, she may well have to sort it out if the case escalates.
Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving have kept all season or most of a routine that we can imagine that it is militant. The problem is that she violates the rules of the NBA, which must be very annoyed.
