Netflix Doc Director American NBA Player Kneeling in National Anthem Rejects the Country
Four years before representing the United States at the 2024 Summer Olympics, several members of the team – LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Jason Tatum, Joel Embiid and Bon Adebayo – knelt in the national anthem during the national anthem in protest of racial injustice. Stephen Curry participated in 2021 hours after the Capitol riots.
After doing this, someone called and said that the two did not actually want to be the same country. However, representing stars and stripes on the largest stage seems to be the opposite.
Last summer, James and Davis sought a gold medal in a new Netflix documentary, Court of Gold Court, which follows the appearances of the United States, France, Serbs and Canadian national teams in Paris.
Six parts of the document were released last week.
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LeBron James won the medal and kneeled on the national anthem. (Imagn)
Director Jake Rogal said he had never discussed politics with any player, but he could certainly say that despite possible problems in the past, they did not take their country for granted.
“Even if you’re not happy with things, I think you’re proud of where you are,” Rogar said in a recent interview with Fox News Digital. “I think we’re in a polarized, turbulent environment. I think that, no matter what, whether you like it or not, that’s where you come from and want to do your best to represent that.”
Sure, most American-born NBA players prefer league titles over gold medals, but for the moment, it is certainly hard to say. In the crunch time, especially in semi-finals and finals, it’s easy for anyone to see the importance of these games.
However, Rogar said the players found it impossible to compare the two phenomena.
“I don’t know if they compare them because we asked a similar question and the answer we got was very consistent, that is, they are two different experiences, so you can’t compare them,” Rogar said. “The NBA championship is the whole season and you’re doing that, and it’s your job. The Olympics are for your country and it’s a quick blow, like, while it’s the same sport, it’s two different achievements…I don’t think they’re comparable. I think they’re special with it for their own reasons.”
US defender Kevin Durant, No. 7, guard Guard Lebron James, shooting guard Stephen Curry for #6 and #4, in the 2024 men’s basketball semi-finals, at the 2024 Olympic Summer Olympics. (Rob Schumacher-Usa’s sports today)
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The Olympics are far from the All-Star break. When Stephen Curry illuminated it and brought the Americans to gold, the gold medal game closed the record, reaching 22.7 million spectators. This is the most watched gold medal competition since 1996. However, this year’s All-Star Game is the second highest rating since the turn of the century, with an average of only 4.7 million viewers.
The NHL’s 4 national championships beat NBA celebrations as there were more than 9 million games in the U.S. Canadian Finals (although combat and political tensions certainly played a role).
Still, considering past Olympic emotions, Rogal does feel that NBA players will follow in the NHL by introducing international games for the All-Star Game.
US shooting guard Stephen Curry, 4th and 6th guard Guard Lebron James, celebrates after beating France in the men’s basketball gold medal match at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris at Accor Arena. (Rob Schumacher-Usa’s sports today)
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“I think whenever you include the country, it raises the bet. It makes things more attractive. It increases emotions immediately. It increases competitiveness,” Rogar said. “So, I think it’s smart to be able to compete in the country at any time. Whether it’s at the All-Star Game or at the Olympics, I think if you do add the country to it, because it’s so personal, you get a more competitive response. I think that might appeal to them.”
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