SAN DIEGO – NFL players by the dozens knelt or lock arms from London to Los Angeles during Sunday's playing of the national anthem, but you haven't — and won't — see the same from the Timberwolves or presumably the NBA.
The NBA, for one thing, has had a longtime rule that requires players, coaches and trainer align and stand in a dignified posture during the national anthem's playing before games.
Timberwolves coach and president of basketball operations Tom Thibodeau meets with his players before every season and emphasizes his expectations, for another thing.
He said he encourages his players to speak their minds on social issues and social justice, and he praised young star Karl-Anthony Towns' August essay on racism in America published by the Players' Tribune.