Why Victor Wembanyama's national anthem posture is under fire from MAGA

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Why Victor Wembanyama's national anthem posture is under fire from MAGA originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

As Victor Wembanyama grows in fame and popularity thanks to his NBA success, he will be scrutinized for even the smallest of decisions.

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That happened at the start of the NBA Finals, when Wembanyama's posture during the U.S. national anthem caught the eye of many disgruntled fans. The San Antonio Spurs star was at the center of a controversy surrounding how he stood when Tori Kelly sang the national anthem in San Antonio before Game 1.

Wembanyama is French, so he doesn't have much of a connection to the United States before moving here upon joining San Antonio. Still, that didn't stop some people from criticizing how Wembanyama approached the national anthem on Wednesday night.

Here's why Wembanyama was criticized after Game 1.

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Victor Wembanyama's national anthem posture

Before Game 1 of the NBA Finals, ABC showed the Spurs bench standing during the National Anthem, and Victor Wembanyama, who is French, had his arms crossed for the duration of the song. Only a few Spurs players put their hands over their hearts, but Wembanyama seemed to be the only one to have his arms crossed.

Even though Wembanyama isn't American (he was born in Le Chesnay, France, near Paris), some fans viewed this as disrespectful, believing that Wembanyama should have put his hand over his heart. That led to a wave of criticism against the big man online.

Donald Trump comments on Victor Wembanyama

President Donal Trump was asked about his thoughts on Wembanyama's National Anthem posture, but he didn't have much to say on the matter.

"What did he mean by that?" Trump asked reporters. "I guess you have to ask him."

Trump is expected to attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden.

Stephen A. Smith on Spurs national anthem

Stephen A. Smith publicly defended Wembanyama and the Spurs from this controversy, as he said that San Antonio was being respectful of the National Anthem in the team's own way.

"This is patently false. 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," Smith wrote on social media. "Holding your hand over your heart is not a requirement. The Spurs were not being disrespectful in anyway. Who is anyone to say they were just over that gesture? That is utterly ridiculous!!!"

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