Ben McLemore on NFL Players Kneeling: 'You Should Always Represent Our Nation'

Sacramento Kings guard Ben McLemore is apparently not a fan of NFL players kneeling for the national anthem. 

"You should always represent our nation," McLemore told TMZ Sports. "That's how I feel. I think you always should."

McLemore went on to say NBA players have found a better way to make a difference in the community than NFL players who kneel for the anthem.

"In their case, it's getting lost, but for our sport in the NBA, I think it's not," McLemore said of the purpose behind player demonstrations aimed at social justice. "We show appreciation to the nation."

After the TMZ story, McLemore took to Twitter to clarify his stance:

Numerous NFL players have kneeled for the national anthem since Colin Kaepernick began the practice in 2016 as a form of protest against police brutality and discrimination against minorities. The protest has become one of the nation's most hot-button issues, with President Donald Trump using it as a talking point to rip the players.

The NFL enacted a new policy for the 2018 season that does not require players to be on the field for the anthem. However, if a player demonstrates while on the field, his team can be fined. ESPN will not air the national anthem as part of its 2018 Monday Night Football coverage. CBS will also not air the anthem for its NFL coverage this season.

“What are they doing?” Trump said at an Ohio rally. “Do they not have a clue? It’s hurt them badly too. It’s continuing. They think they’re doing something smart by not broadcasting the national anthem.”

The NBA requires all players stand for the national anthem. Commissioner Adam Silver sent teams a memo before the 2017-18 season reminding them of the league's policy. 

No NBA players knelt during the anthem last season, but a number have condemned Trump.