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Article snippet: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Thursday he expects the league's players to stand during the national anthem, saying athletes know how "divisive" the issue is across the country. "It's been a rule as long as I've been involved with the league, and my expectation is that our players will continue to stand for the anthem," Silver said, according to The Associated Press. "Many of our players have spoken out already about their plan to stand for the anthem," he continued. "And I think they understand how divisive an issue it is in our society right now." The NBA chief's comments come as the White House faces backlash over President Trump's comments last week blasting NFL players who kneel during the anthem to protest racial injustice. “Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a b---- off the field right now. Out! He’s fired. He’s fired!’” Trump said last Friday during a rally in Alabama. NFL teams responded to Trump's rhetoric over the weekend by kneeling ahead of games and during the anthem. Trump on Thursday downplayed criticism he was preoccupied with the NFL and not focused on the federal response to the humanitarian crisis in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria. "I wasn't preoccupied with the NFL, I was ashamed with what's taking place," Trump said. "I don't think you can disrespect our country, our flag, our national anthem. To me, the NFL situation is a very important situation. I'v... Link to the full article to read more