Raptors notice anthem booing but focus on playing

TORONTO – RJ Barrett acquired proper to it as quickly as he stepped in entrance of the cameras and microphones of a post-practice media scrum on the Toronto Raptors’ coaching facility.

“Let’s get it out of the way in which. Ask it. Simply ask it,” mentioned an upbeat Barrett. “Let’s get it out of the way in which. Simply ask it already. Come on. Let’s get it out of the way in which.”

Did you hear the boos through the American nationwide anthem earlier than the Raptors beat the Los Angeles Clippers 115-108 on Sunday?

“I’ve ears, so I heard it, for certain,” mentioned Barrett, who’s from Mississauga, Ont. “However I imply, I don’t know. I really feel like all people’s entitled to their very own opinion.

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“I don’t actually know an excessive amount of of what it was about. I used to be simply there to play the sport.”

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Followers at Scotiabank Enviornment booed throughout “The Star Spangled Banner,” then switched to loud cheers when “O Canada” started, becoming a member of the 15-year-old anthem singer for some verses of that anthem.

There have been related scenes at Ottawa’s Canadian Tire Centre on Saturday evening when followers additionally booed through the American nationwide anthem earlier than the Senators shut out the Minnesota Wild 6-0 on Saturday. Then on Sunday evening followers in Vancouver jeered the U.S. anthem earlier than the Canucks misplaced to the Detroit Crimson Wings 3-2 in time beyond regulation.

The robust reactions are doubtless in response to a commerce warfare between Canada and its neighbour to the south, sparked by govt orders from U.S. President Donald Trump, elevating tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports to the US.

“I don’t comply with the politics too intently,” mentioned Raptors centre Jakob Poeltl, who’s from Austria. “I suppose it’s simply the Canadian folks, or folks in Toronto, expressing their dislike of sure insurance policies which were handed currently.

“I suppose they thought that was their likelihood to have a platform and present that they’re not completely satisfied about it.”

Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic mentioned he had no touch upon the booing.

This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Feb. 3, 2025.