Calvin Watkins, ESPN Staff Writer 8y

Rockets players respect demonstrations during anthem

HOUSTON -- From the owner to the star player to the point guard who played overseas, the Houston Rockets say protesting during the national anthem for the upcoming NBA season is a player's individual right.

However, shooting guard James Harden said San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick kneeling during the playing of the national anthem in protest of social injustice against African-Americans sends a message.

"It's a powerful statement," Harden said. "He stands up for what he believes in. It's devastating all these people are just dying for no reason, families are grieving. It's a tough situation especially for men and women that are supposed to be protecting us. Each individual has their own beliefs in how they go about handling it and I respect it."

Rockets owner Leslie Alexander told ESPN on Friday he understands the reasons for the protest against police brutality but doesn't want the flag to be disrespected.

"I want them to respect the flag," Alexander said. "I'm an American and this country has been so great to me. I couldn't have done this [own an NBA team] in any country in the world. There is a tremendous prejudice against black people, I know that and it's awful and with what's going on with the police is awful. At the same time, not respecting the flag doesn't do anything to help that."

With the players' union and the league in discussions in regard to potential national anthem protests, Alexander said he doesn't know what the league will do.

Harden said there could be protests from NBA players, but the Rockets haven't met as a group to discuss what could happen.

"There might be, depends on who the person is and their beliefs," Harden said. "There's a lot going on. We know that it's up to the individual. For our team, it's the individual preference. I don't know what those guys are thinking in their head. For our team, we're not going to let it affect what we're trying to do as an organization but it's a free country, that's all there is to it."

Point guard Patrick Beverley said he won't protest the playing of the national anthem. Beverley expressed his desire to stand for the anthem because he played overseas. Beverley played in leagues in Ukraine, Russia and Greece before signing with the Rockets in 2012.

"No. I'm good and I'm happy to be here," Beverley said. "I remember being overseas for five years, not being able to hear that national anthem. I appreciate being an American."

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