Philadelphia 76ers star LeBron James' habit of swaying and appearing to practice his golf swing during the national anthem has drawn significant attention this season, with even the president of the United States weighing in.
Now, a former NBA player is making his feelings known, and let's just say he's not super fond of it.
Former point guard Jason Williams — who spent 12 seasons in the league with the Grizzlies, Kings, Heat and Magic — co-hosts Bartsool Sports' "Hoopin’ N Hollerin'" podcast. The topic of James' anthem habits came up on the most recent episode, and he didn't hold back.
"I do," Williams told his co-host Adam Ferrone when asked if he had thoughts on the issue. "I think motherf---ers should just stand the f--- still during the national anthem. That’s just my opinion."
Williams did, however, note that he didn't personally care about what LeBron was doing, but did once again note that he wished the NBA great would stand still.
"You’re supposed to stand still!" he continued. "Look, they’re all dressed the same. He’s dressed different. Guaranteed he got fined because you’re all supposed to be dressed the same. You’re supposed to be standing still. When I played, that was the rules. They could’ve changed the s--- now, but I guarantee he got fined."
Charles Barkley did not appreciate seeing LeBron James practicing his golf swing on the court during the middle of the national anthem ahead of his Philadelphia 76ers debut earlier this month.
President Donald Trump blasted James after the incident, calling him a "total disgrace," and while Barkley made it a point to say he doesn't care what the President has to say about anything, the two see eye to eye when it comes to James disrespecting the anthem.
"I don’t pay what President Trump says any attention, first and foremost, at all," Barkley began when asked about the moment on SiriusXM NBA Radio. "But I thought that was very disrespectful, practicing your golf swing in the middle of the anthem. I always stand for the anthem. I just think it’s important. We live in the greatest country ever where you can always protest, but I think you have to be very careful with the anthem."
While Barkley mentioned always being allowed to protest, it doesn't appear that James was protesting anything in this instance, but instead simply not being able to stand still and disrespecting the anthem in the process.
"I look at it, I'm supporting the troops when I stand for the national anthem," Barkley continued. "I'm standing there for free speech, so even though I believe in free speech, I think you have to be very careful with the anthem. I always stand for the anthem. I think it's important, and I think it's significant."
James' faux golf swings in the middle of the anthem have understandably drawn attention and criticism, but perhaps the most disrespectful stunt he's pulled during 'The Star-Spangled Banner' came back in 2023.
As a late arrival to his courtside seats at USC to watch his son, Bronny James, play for the Trojans, LeBron made his entrance during the middle of the anthem, with a hat on, and sat in his seat while the rest of the arena was standing and showing respect to the United States.
Heiress Harris, the 10-year-old daughter of rapper T.I., sang the national anthem before Thursday's Game 6 of the WNBA Finals at State Farm Arena. But, as has been the case all series, the players weren't on the court for the performance.
Both the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries left the floor just before the young Black singer began "The Star-Spangled Banner," marking their sixth straight absence for the anthem in this series.
OutKick interviewed fans outside State Farm Arena prior to Game 6. They offered different views on the practice, with some wanting players on the floor and others defending their choice to leave.
One defender of the practice was the father of Golden State guard Tiffany Hayes.
"This is America, by the way, and I’ve served this country, so they can choose what they want," Renard Hayes told OutKick.
Asked whether, as a veteran, he had an issue with the absences, he said he did not.
"I don’t have an issue with it because it’s not a disrespect of the flag," he said.
Hayes’ father, who said he lives in Florida, had criticized the game’s 12:30 p.m. start, blaming the league and Atlanta organization for the scheduling situation. On the anthem, however, he defended the players’ freedom to decide.
The game was moved from its originally scheduled 8 p.m. start to accommodate a doubleheader with the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena. Golden State entered Thursday leading the best-of-seven series 3–2 after winning Monday’s Game 5, 64–55, with a chance to clinch its first championship.
Some fans want players on the court, while others defend their choice
One Dream fan told OutKick she believed everyone should stand for the national anthem.
A male Valkyries fan said he respected the players’ opinions and beliefs but wanted them on the floor.
"They’ve been doing it for years," another Dream fan said. "And that’s their choice. It is what it is."
A woman who said she represents Valkyries center Kiah Stokes offered a similar view.
"I think it’s their decision," the representative said.
For one man attending with a female Dream fan, the question was more complicated. Asked whether he considered the absences disrespectful, he said, "Me personally, maybe a little bit."
"But it doesn’t concern me that much either," he added. "Not particularly bothered by it."
Another Dream fan attending with his family said he respected the anthem and the players’ ability to decide whether to participate.
"But we live in a country where you have a choice, so I gotta respect it," he said.
Players and coaches say skipping anthem is a pregame routine
During media availability in Atlanta on Oct. 23, Golden State coach Natalie Nakase described the absences as part of the team’s pregame routine.
Those interviews were OutKick’s first opportunity to ask the anthem questions directly after attending all 13 formal press conferences during the first three games without being called on.
"We’re two years in," Nakase said. "That’s been part of our pregame."
Asked who established the routine and why, she said, "I really don’t know."
OutKick followed up: "What do you do during those 90 seconds that you’re off the court?"
"I’m with my staff, so I’m focused on my plays," Nakase said.
Golden State’s public relations staff then moved to the next reporter. OutKick did not get an opportunity to ask why those preparations needed to happen during the anthem rather than before or afterward.
Valkyries forward Gabby Williams denied that the team’s absence was a protest.
"No," she said.
Asked why the team was off the floor, Williams responded: "That’s been the routine for like, seven years now."
An Atlanta public relations representative moved to the next question after Dream coach Karl Smesko declined to explain his team’s absences.
"We’re just kind of focused on the Finals," Smesko said.
Asked whether he had any further comment about the anthem and his team’s absences, he said, "No."
Howard said she did not think she had been on the court for the anthem at any point during her tenure in Atlanta. She also defended her commitment to representing the United States internationally.
"When I go put on USA jersey I’m out for the national anthem every time, there’s no doubt about it," Howard said.
OutKick asked Howard why she was not on the court for the anthem with the Dream.
Howard and an Atlanta public relations representative both responded, "Next question."
The WNBA’s 2026 official rulebook says players, coaches and trainers are to "stand and line up in a dignified posture" along the sidelines or on the foul line during the national anthem.
The Associated Press reported Oct. 20 that the league suspended its anthem protocols in 2017. The provision remains in the 2026 rulebook.
OutKick has asked the WNBA to clarify its current requirements and enforcement, whether discipline is planned or under consideration, and whether teams have received instructions about being on the floor.
The inquiries to the WNBA and both teams began after Game 1 on Oct. 17, with follow-ups Oct. 18 and Oct. 20. OutKick also contacted the NBA league office on Oct. 20 about its role in the matter.
OutKick has also asked Atlanta to confirm an arena employee’s account that Dream players stand in a hallway after leaving the floor before games, including whether they remain there during the anthem.
During Game 4, I attempted to observe what Atlanta’s players do after leaving the court. Arena staff said my credential did not grant access to that area and escorted me to my assigned media seat.
The WNBA, NBA and both teams’ front offices have not responded to OutKick’s emailed requests for comment about the anthem absences. The player and coach responses came during media availability.
Six games into the Finals, fans disagree about whether the players should be on the court for the anthem. The teams still haven’t explained why their preparations require leaving it.
Login
