The Milwaukee Bucks stood together in a show of “unity” during the national anthem before Monday’s preseason opener against the Chicago Bulls.
The Bucks stood in a line arm in arm. Some players and coaches kept their right hands on their hearts as the anthem played.
“It’s not a protest,” Kidd said. “We’re not protesting. We’re showing unity. There’s not a protest.”
NBA players are required to stand for the national anthem, so when a team does anything more most assume its a protest. But Kidd made it clear his team was displaying unity.
“I think they’ve covered every base, and I think it’s just showing awareness,” Kidd said. “I think it’s for [the team] to discuss and talk about because I think it’s really nice of them and special that they came together as a unit and be unified. It just shows our growth for a young team.”
Kidd said he wanted his team to make a decision together.
“We discussed it,” he said. “And I think there was a lot of discussion throughout the week … guys have come up with a solution of what they want to do for the national anthem. So I’m very proud of them being able to come together and make a decision and do it as a team. That just shows a lot of growth for our young players.”
Jason Kidd was pleased with his team’s outcome.
“I think they’ve covered every base, and I think it’s just showing awareness,” Kidd said. “I think it’s for [the team] to discuss and talk about because I think it’s really nice of them and special that they came together as a unit and be unified. It just shows our growth for a young team.”
The Bulls did not do anything during the anthem, but head coach Fred Hoiberg said that should they wish to, he would “respect” whatever decision they made.
