Kobe Bryant's blissful retirement is the only thing stopping him from taking a stand. Following NBA commissioner Adam Silver's reiteration of the league rule stating all players must stand during the United States national anthem, the Los Angeles Lakers decided to lock arms as a compromise ahead of their preseason games. USA president Donald Trump has been under fire in recent weeks after tweeting that NFL players who kneel should be "fired", while he rescinded his invitation to the Golden State Warriors to visit the White House after Stephen Curry expressed hesitation regarding the team's trip.