There isn't a lot of sympathy among the Utah Jazz for Denver Nuggets guard Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf's stance on the national anthem.
Abdul-Rauf, a practicing Muslim, has been suspended by the NBA for refusing to stand with his teammates, as required by league rules, during the anthem prior to games.Some Jazzmen had no opinion on the matter, but those that did weren't afraid to express themselves. Of those questioned, only Antoine Carr defended Abdul-Rauf.
"I think everybody ought to leave it alone," Carr said. "Everybody's religion is his own thing. If he feels that America has been known to put African-Americans down and not give them a chance to enhance themselves, that's his thing. We're starting to lose sight of what the game is all about."
"All I saw was the interview (on TV) where the guy said the flag represents oppression in this country, but he's making four million (actually, $2.6 million) a year," said guard Jeff Hornacek. "Let him find a better country to go live in."
"When you come into the league there are some things you just do," said Karl Malone. "The national anthem has always been part of this league. If you don't like abiding by the rules of the league, get out."
John Stockton said it didn't seem like the league was asking something unreasonable.
"He's fortunate that it's America, where you do have that right," Stockton said. "It (the flag) is a token of something that's been pretty good to all of us. It's pretty disrespectful not to stand up for it. Nobody's asking him to salute or march for it or anything like that."
Adam Keefe offered an alternative for Abdul-Rauf.
"If he's really worried about oppression and tyranny, then he should stand up during the national anthem and put the money he would have been fined into schools to educate people against oppression and tyranny," Keefe said.
Coach Jerry Sloan said it boils down to a simple issue.
"If we're going to have a rule, everybody has to abide by it," he said. "If that's his belief, then he doesn't have to play in this league. If he knew that when he got into it, maybe basketball shouldn't be what he does."