"This Is Patently False" Stephen A. Smith Rolls With Victor Wembanyama After Anthem Complaints

Victor Wembanyama drew complaints online after the San Antonio Spurs star stood with folded arms during "The Star Spangled Banner" before Game 1 of the NBA championship.

Players lined the floor at Frost Bank Center while the anthem echoed through the building. As reported by Awful Announcing, ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith rejected accusations that Wembanyama or the Spurs had shown disrespect, calling those allegations "patently false."

Black, silver and white Spurs uniforms stretched across the hardwood before tipoff. Folded arms distinguished Wembanyama from teammates who chose different positions while waiting for play to begin.

Smith addressed the subject during ESPN's "First Take," where he argued that Americans honor the anthem in different ways. He pointed to people who bow their heads, stand quietly or keep their hands at their sides rather than placing a hand over their heart.

Placing a hand over the heart remains a familiar tradition at sporting events, but Smith said no single posture serves as a universal test of patriotism. He described accusations directed at the Spurs as "utterly ridiculous."

Wembanyama entered the championship round carrying enormous expectations. The French center became the top pick in the 2023 NBA Draft and quickly emerged as the focal point of San Antonio's rebuilding plans, drawing notice far beyond Texas.

Basketball produced its own headline once play began. New York defeated San Antonio 105-95, taking the opening game behind a strong second half that silenced much of the home crowd.

Smith's remarks reached viewers across the country because of his role at ESPN. What started with a pregame posture developed into a national argument over how athletes choose to conduct themselves during patriotic observances.

Game 2 now shifts attention back to the court. San Antonio will attempt to even the championship round before play moves to New York with the Knicks holding the early advantage.