Cleveland Cavaliers refuses to respect the National Anthem

[jwwashburn]

Dion Waiters informs NEOMG that he is a Muslim and plans to skip national anthems | cleveland.com

In the NBA Rules Book I found:
In the Comments On The Rules section:

H. PLAYER/TEAM CONDUCT AND DRESS
(1) Each player when introduced, prior to the game, must be uniformly dressed.
(2) Players, coaches and trainers are to stand and line up in a dignified posture along
the sidelines or on the foul line during the playing of the National Anthem.

Is this an actual rule? What is the penalty? Would it be a Technical Foul? I do not see a remedy for violating this.

[jwwashburn]

RULE NO. 12—FOULS AND PENALTIES

A. Technical Foul

Section V—Conduct
a. An official may assess a technical foul, without prior warning, at any time. A technical
foul(s) may be assessed to any player on the court or anyone seated on the bench for conduct
which, in the opinion of an official, is detrimental to the game. The technical foul must
be charged to an individual. A technical foul cannot be assessed for physical contact when
the ball is alive.

So, clearly an official in the NBA could blow the whistle on this goof. Opinions anyone?

[JRutledge]

I hope the hell not. And I would not even want to call anything for this. I am not paying attention to every player during introductions that seriously.

Peace

[jwwashburn]

Or, he changed his mind.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Dion Waiters clarifies remarks regarding his pregame ritual | cleveland.com

I still would like to know what your opinions are on what an NBA official should do if a guy were to do this.

[BryanV21]

I think I'd leave it up to the league to impose a fine or something. But I'm not an NBA official, so maybe they think differently.

[APG]

Originally Posted by jwwashburn

Or, he changed his mind.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Dion Waiters clarifies remarks regarding his pregame ritual | cleveland.com

I still would like to know what your opinions are on what an NBA official should do if a guy were to do this.

The officials wouldn't do anything as far as in game penalties...if there is any punishment to be had, it would be imposed by the league.

[jwwashburn]

I tend to think they wouldn't but, they certainly could do so.

If some creep decides to call attention to himself by refusing to stand, I think he is requesting a Technical Foul.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by jwwashburn

I tend to think they wouldn't but, they certainly could do so.

If some creep decides to call attention to himself by refusing to stand, I think he is requesting a Technical Foul.

It's a great country. You're entitled to that opinion.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by jwwashburn

I tend to think they wouldn't but, they certainly could do so.

If some creep decides to call attention to himself by refusing to stand, I think he is requesting a Technical Foul.

1st Amendment protections are one of things that make this country great.

[BryanV21]

Originally Posted by Rich

It's a great country. You're entitled to that opinion.

Just like Waiters has the right to not stand for the National Anthem. I don't like it, but there it is. Although, the NBA has the right to punish its employees (like the players) for not abiding by their rules. Just like any other company.

Hmm

Makes me think of one of my favorite speeches from a movie...

America isn't easy. America is advanced citizenship. You gotta want it bad, 'cause it's gonna put up a fight. It's gonna say "You want free speech? Let's see you acknowledge a man whose words make your blood boil, who's standing center stage and advocating at the top of his lungs that which you would spend a lifetime opposing at the top of yours. You want to claim this land as the land of the free? Then the symbol of your country can't just be a flag; the symbol also has to be one of its citizens exercising his right to burn that flag in protest. Show me that, defend that, celebrate that in your classrooms. Then, you can stand up and sing about the "land of the free".

[jwwashburn]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

1st Amendment protections are one of things that make this country great.

I am not advocating his arrest. He has the "right" to not stand. He does not have the First Amendment protection to intentionally and publicly embarrass his employer without consequences. The NBA and the Cavaliers also have rights.

In addition, The First Amendment does not protect him against breaking the rules of the NBA.

he could tell a referee he thinks he is stupid. Is it illegal? No. Will there be consequences? Of course.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by jwwashburn

I am not advocating his arrest. He has the "right" to not stand. He does not have the First Amendment protection to intentionally and publicly embarrass his employer without consequences. The NBA and the Cavaliers also have rights.

In addition, The First Amendment does not protect him against breaking the rules of the NBA.

he could tell a referee he thinks he is stupid. Is it illegal? No. Will there be consequences? Of course.

Methinks you doth protest too much.

[BigCat]

Originally Posted by jwwashburn

I am not advocating his arrest. He has the "right" to not stand. He does not have the First Amendment protection to intentionally and publicly embarrass his employer without consequences. The NBA and the Cavaliers also have rights.

In addition, The First Amendment does not protect him against breaking the rules of the NBA.

he could tell a referee he thinks he is stupid. Is it illegal? No. Will there be consequences? Of course.

Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on your perspective, First Amendment protections are limited in private employment settings. Main protection is against government taking action against you for what you say. However, Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act protects "sincerely held" religous beliefs.

Don't know enough about his claim but pretty sure NBA wouldn't want referees making the decision if his belief was sincere or not...thx

[Coach Bill]

Maybe, I'm naive or stupid, but what does the National Anthem have to do with being Muslim? What does it have to do with any religion?

Don't be a plumber.