Just Like Wearin' IU Shorts

[GooooMarquette]

The Raptors have more Brazilians on their roster (2) than Canadians (1).  Should they play the Brazilian anthem?

[Bocephys]

I don't have a problem with the playing of the National Anthem, (I just can't imagine a game without it).  One of my more unpopular opinions is that "Military Salutes," have absolutely no place at sporting events.

Aren't the military salutes just marketing at this point?

[Lennys Tap]

For the record, I'm agnostic on the whole deal.

From atheist to agnostic. Progress.

[Lennys Tap]

How do you feel about God Bless America?  Angels play it on Sundays at 7th inning. 

This year they should go to the Beatle's songbook - "Help!" or "I'm a Loser" seem more apropos.

[Coleman]

How do you feel about God Bless America?  Angels play it on Sundays at 7th inning.  I'm curious with your stated beliefs on The subject.  Not judging, just curious.

The playing of it or the song itself?

[Gato78]

I don't have a problem with the playing of the National Anthem, (I just can't imagine a game without it).  One of my more unpopular opinions is that "Military Salutes," have absolutely no place at sporting events.

My nephew is an Iraq vet. The salutes to military members drives him crazy. Too often, it is a non-combat vet, made out to be a combat vet. Then there is this military philosophy that it is not about an individual, only country, branch of service and down the chain of command. Then the false patriotism that goes with some of it. It makes him crazy. Somewhat like my late father-in-law who was a highly decorated WWII vet. He was a true hero at the Battle of the Bulge and has the hardware to prove it. Yet, not only would he never allow himself to be spotlighted, he never spoke of it--until a nephew interviewed him for a paper at school a couple years before his death. We couldn't even find two of his medals for his funeral.

My nephew and my father-in-law are both old school: "just doing my job".

[Golden Avalanche]

Weird this has gone two pages and no one has mentioned that in the top left corner of the video at the .01 second mark you can see a Toronto Raptor putting up a jumper, just like Wade was doing on the other end.

[StillAWarrior]

Weird this has gone two pages and no one has mentioned that in the top left corner of the video at the .01 second mark you can see a Toronto Raptor putting up a jumper, just like Wade was doing on the other end.

I think there's a pretty significant difference bwtween taking a final shot at :01 and him still shooting at :14.   I don't think that this is a particularly big deal.  But it was disrespectful, whether he intended it as such or not (and I have no doubt he did not).  Also, frankly, it was indefensible and he shouldn't have tried.  He'd have been much better off saying he didn't mean to be disrespectful and apologizing.

[keefe]

The question isn't whether or not it is appropriate that anthems be played.  Since it's played, Wade should be respectful.  And he wasn't.

That is all that needs to be said.

[Herman Cain]

D Wade has some superstitions that he was going through in terms of making bank shots etc before the Canadian anthem . They caught him ( and others) by surprise when they started playing.

[MU82]

How do you feel about God Bless America?  Angels play it on Sundays at 7th inning.  I'm curious with your stated beliefs on The subject.  Not judging, just curious.

I think it is unnecessary. Take Me Out To The Ball Game already is a "national anthem" of sorts - a national baseball anthem.

Even right after 9/11, I didn't see why it was necessary. We already had the Star Spangled Banner, often performed with great panache and emotion. As well as huge flags, flyovers, etc. Seemed like overkill then, definitely seems like it now.

As for the song itself, it is much easier to sing and to listen to than the Star Spangled Banner. In my younger days, I used to get goosebumps when Kate Smith would perform it live at big Flyers games - and I was a Rangers fan who HATED the Flyers. But as an adult atheist, I naturally disagree that God has blessed or will bless America.

As a message of American beauty and greatness, I far prefer the non-religious This Land Is Your Land.

P.S. to Lenny: Sorry, but I'm back to atheist again. So much for progress!

[Coleman]

But as an adult atheist, I naturally disagree that God has blessed or will bless America.

As an adult believer and churchgoer, I don't think that God picks favorite countries. I think we agree.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Friends of mine from overseas always thought that our country's obsession with our flag was interesting. Thinks like the "pledge of allegiance" don't exist in most other nations. They found it to be very propaganda-like and brainwashy.

[77ncaachamps]

Buzz only cares about US anthem...

And John Denver's "Take Me Home, Country Roads"

[StillAWarrior]

D Wade has some superstitions that he was going through in terms of making bank shots etc before the Canadian anthem . They caught him ( and others) by surprise when they started playing.

I have no reason to doubt this.  D Wade should have done what the others who were caught by surprise did -- stopped shooting.

[mu-rara]

Cannot imagine how cool it would be to stand on the podium with a gold medal, Our National Anthem playing.   One of the best scenes in the Olympics. 

I hope every one, no matter what nation they live in, feels the same.

By the way, I love the Canadian National Anthem also.

[Loose Cannon]

I think there's a pretty significant difference bwtween taking a final shot at :01 and him still shooting at :14.   I don't think that this is a particularly big deal.  But it was disrespectful, whether he intended it as such or not (and I have no doubt he did not).  Also, frankly, it was indefensible and he shouldn't have tried.  He'd have been much better off saying he didn't mean to be disrespectful and apologizing.

Plus Tax

[Golden Avalanche]

I think there's a pretty significant difference bwtween taking a final shot at :01 and him still shooting at :14.   I don't think that this is a particularly big deal.  But it was disrespectful, whether he intended it as such or not (and I have no doubt he did not).  Also, frankly, it was indefensible and he shouldn't have tried.  He'd have been much better off saying he didn't mean to be disrespectful and apologizing.

On the extended video, the Raptor in the corner takes two shots. Wade took three in the edited video. Only one of these guys is going to the Hall of Fame.

People taking the time to care about this is stupid.

[Dawson Rental]

I just can't believe that no one's played the Superbar card yet.

[Dawson Rental]

The Raptors have more Brazilians on their roster (2) than Canadians (1).  Should they play the Brazilian anthem?

Only if they start paying in Brazilian Reals, instead of Canadian Dollars.

[dgies9156]

As an adult believer and churchgoer, I don't think that God picks favorite countries. I think we agree.

Just favorite basketball teams. Up in heaven, God is wearing his blue and gold!

Right?

[cheebs09]

Just favorite basketball teams. Up in heaven, God is wearing his blue and gold!

Right?

Doubtful. If you ask our friends to the west, he was coaching their team for the last 15 years.

[BrewCity83]

DWade only respects the easy National Anthems.

[Coleman]

Just favorite basketball teams. Up in heaven, God is wearing his blue and gold!

Right?

God may not choose favorite basketball teams, but there's no question he hates Notre Dame.

[WI inferiority Complexes]

Friends of mine from overseas always thought that our country's obsession with our flag was interesting. Thinks like the "pledge of allegiance" don't exist in most other nations. They found it to be very propaganda-like and brainwashy.