Playing at the highest stage of NBA basketball is bound to attract a lot of attention and, so, some potential controversies. On Wednesday, the San Antonio Spurs stirred controversy with their gesture during the national anthem, and Stephen A. Smith had to step in to defend the NBA finalists.

Before Game 1, Tori Kelly took ‌center stage to sing the national anthem. Seconds later, the camera rolled towards the Spurs players, standing in line with different gestures. Some of the users on social media included Matt Wallace, a social media influencer, who said that the players were making a political statement about ‘feeling oppressed.’

“This is patently false,” Smith retaliated on Wallace’s post. “There are plenty of people who listen to the Nat’l Anthem and simply bow their heads with their hands in front of them or behind their backs and pay respects."

Wallace pointed out that only two players, Luke Kornet and Mason Plumlee, kept their hands over their hearts. A gesture he certified as showcasing respect for the national anthem. Smith called Wallace’s argument “ridiculous.”

“Holding your hand over your heart is not a requirement,” Smith added. “The Spurs were not being disrespectful in anyway. Who is anyone to say they were just over that gesture? That is utterly ridiculous!!!”

The national anthem controversy aside, Game 1 between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs lived up to its hype. The Knicks took a 1-0 lead in the series, raising anticipation for a big answer from the Spurs. 

Victor Wembanyama Wows for a “Better” Game After Spurs Loss in Game 1

The San Antonio Spurs’ Game 1 loss has put them under immense pressure. However, they don’t seem to be too worried about the loss.

They have been down in this playoff before and lost their home game, too. While the analytics might surgically bring out where the Spurs were weak and the Knicks better, Victor Wembanyama believes the Spurs gave the game away.

“It's almost like I have to play normal, not even good. It's just like doing the right things is enough,” Wemby said. “When we play bad, when I play bad, is when we shoot ourselves in the foot.”

However, time and again, the Spurs have shown that they can respond with their back against the wall, and so has the Alien. 

“This is why I'm not worried. We're going to be so much better. I'm going to be so much better,” Wemby added.

The Spurs led by 13 points in the third quarter before giving up the lead to close the quarter with the game tied at 76.

Wembanyama didn’t play as well as fans expected him to and seemed to lose the contest against Karl-Anthony Towns. Wemby missed 10 of his 12 shots when guarded by ‌KAT, and the fans are expecting a response from Wemby.

Do you believe that the Spurs can even the series before traveling to New York for Game 3? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

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Written by

Nandjee Ranjan

Edited by

Koushik Biswas