Trail Blazers huddle during national anthem as display of unity

[SlyPokerDog]

:MARIS61:

As the lights lowered for the national anthem prior to the Trail Blazers Fan Fest on Sunday night, the Blazers coaching staff stood near the team bench, hands over their hearts, facing the American flag at the far end of the court in rafters of the Moda Center.

Instead of lining up alongside the coaches, the Blazers players huddled in a circle under the basket, arms draped over each others' shoulders and heads lowered.

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2016/10/trail_blazers_fan_fest.html#incart_river_home

 

[SlyPokerDog]

:MARIS61:

"We thought it was a great way to display that togetherness and that unity, which is really the message that I think needs to be sent the most," Blazers forward Moe Harkless said. "We're all one people. We're all one nation and we need to act that way."

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2016/10/trail_blazers_fan_fest.html#incart_river_home

 

[bodyman5000 and 1]

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

 

[ripcityboy]

I give you Paddy Chayefsky. The sooth sayer.

 

[HailBlazers]

:MARIS61:

"We thought it was a great way to display that togetherness and that unity, which is really the message that I think needs to be sent the most," Blazers forward Moe Harkless said. "We're all one people. We're all one nation and we need to act that way."

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2016/10/trail_blazers_fan_fest.html#incart_river_home

Love Moe. Kid is really blossoming.

 

[illmatic99]

I'm completely apathetic about this since I don't think the anthem should even be played at sports events. If you want to be patriotic, that's your choice, but don't necessarily have to do it at a game.

But there are people who believe that the anthem at sports events is a way to honor the armed forces. Because of that, I am a bit curious to learn what Meyers' opinion is on this.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

 

[Natebishop3]

This happened during the National Anthem. One of the coolest moments in sports history that I have ever witnessed.... and it didn't happen during play.

 

[BlazerWookee]

Fuck.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I'm looking forward to using this thread to manage my Ignore list

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I'm sure Dame knows this and is telling the team... but the local columnists will have one (or both) of two possible reactions to this, and BOTH reactions are bait for a trap. The team cannot react at all to them.

 

[Natebishop3]

I really don't see this as at all controversial.

They're standing. They're bowing their heads.

Are people going to get upset because they're not covering their heart with their hand? Because I always viewed leaving your hat on as another form of disrespect and plenty of people do that during the anthem.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

I'm looking forward to using this thread to manage my Ignore list

BWAHAHAHA.... You can't even read this post.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

I really don't see this as at all controversial.

They're standing. They're bowing their heads.

Are people going to get upset because they're not covering their heart with their hand? Because I always viewed leaving your hat on as another form of disrespect and plenty of people do that during the anthem.

Depending who you talk to, hand over your heart isn't necessarily the correct way, either. Standing at attention with your hands to your side is often considered the correct way, or so I've been told.

 

[Wheels]

I'm completely apathetic about this since I don't think the anthem should even be played at sports events. If you want to be patriotic, that's your choice, but don't necessarily have to do it at a game.

But there are people who believe that the anthem at sports events is a way to honor the armed forces. Because of that, I am a bit curious to learn what Meyers' opinion is on this.

yuuuuuup. National Anthem at club level sports, that has nothing to do with playing for country, etc, has always been strange to me. Olympics, World Cup, International Level sports, etc... be my guest.

I get that some people who it as a way to honor armed forces, etc. But why at that moment? Why not before a BBQ in your back yard too then? (No sarcasm intended on the BBQ comment, I'm legit asking a question fwiw)

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Depending who you talk to, hand over your heart isn't necessarily the correct way, either. Standing at attention with your hands to your side is often considered the correct way, or so I've been told.

I always put my hands behind my back. I let those around me decide if I'm respecting the flag or pretending I've been handcuffed by corrupt police.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

yuuuuuup. National Anthem at club level sports, that has nothing to do with playing for country, etc, has always been strange to me. Olympics, World Cup, International Level sports, etc... be my guest.

I get that some people who it as a way to honor armed forces, etc. But why at that moment? Why not before a BBQ in your back yard too then? (No sarcasm intended on the BBQ comment, I'm legit asking a question fwiw)

Next time I have a BBQ in my backyard, I'm absolutely playing Hendrix's anthem before serving any ribs.

 

[Wheels]

Next time I have a BBQ in my backyard, I'm absolutely playing Hendrix's anthem before serving any ribs.

Oh Gawd, please tell me you have uber patriotic neighbors for this!

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Oh Gawd, please tell me you have uber patriotic neighbors for this!

No. I just never have barbecues, so it's a really easy promise to make.

 

[Pinwheel1]

What is not to like? They are standing, facing the flag, with arms around each other, huddled as a UNIFIED team. I think it is the best idea yet.
They can't/won't ignore what every other team is doing. This seems like a great compromise. I bet it catches on.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

So what happens when we play the Raptors this year? Do the players continue to huddle during the Canadian anthem? Personally, I think they should stand up straight for it.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

So what happens when we play the Raptors this year? Do the players continue to huddle during the Canadian anthem? Personally, I think they should stand up straight for it.

They should fan out like a maple leaf.

 

[riverman]

So what happens when we play the Raptors this year? Do the players continue to huddle during the Canadian anthem? Personally, I think they should stand up straight for it.

They'll do what we do then talk about us when we're not around eh then tearfully launch into a robust chorus of Oh Canada!

 

[H.C.]

What is not to like? They are standing, facing the flag, with arms around each other, huddled as a UNIFIED team. I think it is the best idea yet.
They can't/won't ignore what every other team is doing. This seems like a great compromise. I bet it catches on.

I personally love what the Blazers did.
In a time where everyone is being told you must pick sides.
The team showed the opposite.

 

[noknobs]

Sucks that the Blazers are doing this. I think it's misguided and yes, disrespectful. How exactly does disrespecting the country you love bring attention to racial inequality? How does it solve anything? This only brings attention to yourself. It helps nothing, other than your own conscience. How about you stand and look at the flag for two minutes, and appreciate all the good things it stands for and all the heroes who have died so that you can play basketball for a living, then after the game go do something of substance that actually helps racial inequality? But that probably makes too much sense.

What is not to like? They are standing, facing the flag, with arms around each other, huddled as a UNIFIED team.

No they're not. Their heads are down and half of them even have their backs to the flag.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

To me, the whole "huddle together" is nothing more than attention whoring. They do something out of the ordinary to draw attention to themselves.

 

[Pinwheel1]

"We thought it was a great way to display that togetherness and that unity, which is really the message that I think needs to be sent the most," Blazers forward Moe Harkless said. "We're all one people. We're all one nation and we need to act that way."

"It was just showing that we're together," Mason Plumlee said. "Us as a team we all support each other. We all come from different situations yet we're very close. So that's what that was. We hope people in society have the same relationships that we have on our team. We're a very close team and we're very proud of that."

Again...not finding a problem with their intentions.

 

[rasheedfan2005]

They should fan out like a maple leaf.

Nah stand in a square to represent the canadian wheel!

 

[rasheedfan2005]

THEY SHOULD 69 EACH OTHER DURING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM TO SHOW THAT THEY WILL GIVE AS WELL AS RECEIVE FOR THE USA.

I love your sarcastic attitude towards everything. Its a very under appriciated skill these days. It takes a true scholar to offend everyone equally, yet somehow we manage. High fives. Fist bump, bro?