# NBA Dallas Mavs stop playing national anthem before home games **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [February 10, 2021, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-dallas-mavs-stop-playing-national-anthem-before-home-games/932609 "2021-02-10T14:12:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2021, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-dallas-mavs-stop-playing-national-anthem-before-home-games/932609/41 "2021-02-11T16:42:14Z")
I was a bit surprised to find out that apparently Buffalo is the only NHL team to play both anthems before every game, regardless of who they’re playing. On the other hand, they are right on the border, and a significant percentage of their audience are Canadian. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2021, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-dallas-mavs-stop-playing-national-anthem-before-home-games/932609/42 "2021-02-11T17:57:56Z")
> [@Red\_Wiggler](#): > > Just don’t play it. Nobody will miss it. > > The marriage of sports and “patriotism” has always been confusing to me. Another useless tradition. Some people like traditions. Some people like ceremony. Absolutely, some people will miss it. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2021, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-dallas-mavs-stop-playing-national-anthem-before-home-games/932609/43 "2021-02-11T19:02:50Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > Mark Cuban has relented and will play the anthem. Is it wrong if I hope he opts for the Rosanne Barr version? ---
**Author:** ![Ashtura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ashtura/32/2963_2.png) [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2021, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-dallas-mavs-stop-playing-national-anthem-before-home-games/932609/44 "2021-02-11T19:03:26Z")
I’m fine with it, and I have nothing against the national anthem. I am also not into sports. I heard some countries play their national anthem before movies. That would annoy the hell out of me if it became a “tradition”. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2021, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-dallas-mavs-stop-playing-national-anthem-before-home-games/932609/45 "2021-02-11T19:08:13Z")
> [@Ashtura](#): > > I heard some countries play their national anthem before movies. That would annoy the hell out of me if it became a “tradition”. This is a recent development (2016) in India, under its current hypernationalalist regime. And its main purpose seems to be to make Muslims feel unwelcome - there are reports of mob violence against people who don’t stand with sufficient “respect” for the anthem. A very dark path and certainly not one the US should follow. Eta: and actually while India’s Supreme Court ruled this in 2016 they reversed the ruling in 2018. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2021, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-dallas-mavs-stop-playing-national-anthem-before-home-games/932609/46 "2021-02-11T19:15:09Z")
It might actually work out; people who don’t like the history behind the anthem and its celebration of violent nationalism won’t miss the tradition, and ‘patriots’ won’t spazz out about minorities and liberals kneeling. Personally, I think it’s an out-dated tradition. Won’t miss it. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2021, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-dallas-mavs-stop-playing-national-anthem-before-home-games/932609/47 "2021-02-11T19:16:16Z")
Ruled this how, exactly? Did they rule that it was OK to play the anthem before movies and then reverse that decision? Or did they rule that it was not OK to play the anthem before movies and then reverse that decision? ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2021, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-dallas-mavs-stop-playing-national-anthem-before-home-games/932609/48 "2021-02-11T19:55:51Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Ruled this how, exactly? In 2016 they ruled all theaters must play the national anthem before movies. In 2018 they reversed this decision, making the national anthem optional. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2021, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-dallas-mavs-stop-playing-national-anthem-before-home-games/932609/49 "2021-02-11T20:59:26Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Now that it’s been brought to public attention, I expect there to be outrage at this obviously un-patriotic decision. Yep. [Dan Patrick introduces “Star Spangled Banner Act” after Mavericks stopped playing national anthem | The Texas Tribune](https://www.texastribune.org/2021/02/10/dallas-mavericks-texas-national-anthem/) ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2021, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-dallas-mavs-stop-playing-national-anthem-before-home-games/932609/50 "2021-02-11T21:00:36Z")
Nothing says patriotism more than legally mandated displays of patriotism. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2021, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-dallas-mavs-stop-playing-national-anthem-before-home-games/932609/51 "2021-02-11T21:06:39Z")
Next up, anyone attending a sports event in Texas will have to sign a Trump loyalty pledge. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2021, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-dallas-mavs-stop-playing-national-anthem-before-home-games/932609/52 "2021-02-11T21:55:35Z")
My suggestion: The Setting A Good Example Law. “All statewide elected officials in Texas should raise the US flag outside their residence at dawn and lower it at dusk each day. All members of the household should be present for the ceremony and appropriately dressed. By doing so, they will set a good example of patriotism for all of the neighbors.” I’m not a resident of Texas, so I will leave it to one of you to propose this. ---
**Author:** ![Scoobysnax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@Scoobysnax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scoobysnax)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2021, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-dallas-mavs-stop-playing-national-anthem-before-home-games/932609/53 "2021-02-11T22:19:37Z")
I have been living in the U.S. for over 20 years, and am now a citizen, but I have never understood this country’s obsession with the military. I fully support funding of the VA, providing soldiers and veterans with mental and physical healthcare, and providing them with training and education so that they can get decent jobs after they get out. I just don’t know why every single event has to honor a specific solider(s). At a King’s (L.A.) game a few years back the military person of the day was a logistics officer from Barstow. From the description of his service he had never left the state. Living in Barstow and his commute to work is probably more dangerous than his job. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2021, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-dallas-mavs-stop-playing-national-anthem-before-home-games/932609/54 "2021-02-11T22:44:22Z")
Its several things. 1. The most jingoistic of Americans want their flags and ceremonies, but fucking hate the VA, mental health services and and veteran job placement services because that’s “communism”. They are fucking stupid. 2. It’s about guns. It’s always about guns. Militarism is mostly just code for gun fetishism. They like their tanks and their battleships and their stealth fighters because they think it’s the direct extension of their modded AR. When they polish and caress it they feel powerful. When they watch M1 Tanks and F22s on the History Channel they feel powerful. 3. They like the ceremonies at events where veterans get trotted out because it’s their version of virtue signaling. Everything they hate about lame liberal virtue signaling they embody here. It allows them to pretend to care about veterans while they actively work against those veteran services cited above. They think an ovation to one guy replaces actual care and help for the thousands that need it. 4. It’s all funded and cultivated by the DOD for recruitment and by the defense contractors who need to cultivate this fetishism in order to maintain these huge taxpayer funded contracts. So yeah, it’s totally fucked. That said, I don’t get too bent out of shape about the anthem. It’s ceremonial moreso than jingoistic to me. I like signing the anthem kind of like I like signing take me out to the ball game. It’s way less cringey than reciting the pledge of allegiance. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-dallas-mavs-stop-playing-national-anthem-before-home-games/932609/55 "2021-02-12T00:08:10Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > I like signing the anthem kind of like I like signing take me out to the ball game. I’m very much hoping that this is to be taken literally to mean that you present the lyrics in ASL while the song is being sung, just as a minor voluntary public service, but I bet I’m about to be disappointed. :sadface ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-dallas-mavs-stop-playing-national-anthem-before-home-games/932609/56 "2021-02-12T00:21:12Z")
I can’t even parse that sentence. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-dallas-mavs-stop-playing-national-anthem-before-home-games/932609/57 "2021-02-12T00:39:48Z")
You wrote “signing”, not “singing”… ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-dallas-mavs-stop-playing-national-anthem-before-home-games/932609/58 "2021-02-12T00:41:25Z")
LOL, oops. I don’t have half the swag that these ASL guys have. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-dallas-mavs-stop-playing-national-anthem-before-home-games/932609/59 "2021-02-12T00:44:49Z")
I read somewhere it’s very uncommon outside the US for people to fly their national flag at home. Is that true ? ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-dallas-mavs-stop-playing-national-anthem-before-home-games/932609/60 "2021-02-12T01:01:25Z")
That depends. On independence day or the local equivalent? Not uncommon. On a daily basis? Yeah, pretty dang uncommon. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-dallas-mavs-stop-playing-national-anthem-before-home-games/932609.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-dallas-mavs-stop-playing-national-anthem-before-home-games/932609.md?page=4)