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VANCOUVER, B.C. -- Members of the Toronto Raptors elected to interlock arms during the playing of both the Canadian and U.S. national anthems before their 97-93 preseason win over the Golden State Warriors on Saturday night.There had been speculation over how each team might approach The Star-Spangled Banner, given the recent kneeling and fist protests inspired by San Francisco 49ers?quarterback?Colin Kaepernick, who said his actions were in response to racial injustice and fatal police shootings in the United States.While the Raptors locked arms throughout both anthems, the Warriors comported themselves traditionally, save for forward David West, who stood roughly 2 feet behind the anthem line with his arms behind his back.On Monday, West told The Undefeateds Marc J. Spears of a possible anthem display: Protest is an individual thing. Its based on your own personal conviction. I dont think anybody should feel compelled one way or the other. Particularly, dont feel pressure to do it because other guys are doing it. Be personally convicted. Feel like if youre doing something, what youre doing is from you and not because its the popular thing to do.At Warriors media day, Golden State forward Draymond Green spoke at length on the subject of protest.I think its important to speak out because were human, Green said. There are a lot of changes that need to be made. Its not just the killing of black people -- thats obviously rough and crazy to me -- there are a lot of changes that need to be made in this country.While Green, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson all indicated they would stand for the anthem, they praised Kaepernicks approach. New Warrior Kevin Durant said he was very proud of him.Before Saturdays game, Warriors coach Steve Kerr was asked about his message to his team regarding the anthem and said, My message was that our organization supports our players and whatever they decide to do. I support them, but Id like for everybody to have a heads-up for each others sake because, obviously, its going to generate a lot of conversation if someone decides to make some kind of statement, whether its kneeling or a fist in the air, so I dont anticipate our guys will do anything based on our conversations -- mainly because our guys are more focused on the next step.?Weve talked a lot more about how we can help in our community, what can we do better as a group, and go from there.In response to a similar question, Raptors coach Dwane Casey said, Weve had some great conversations coming from the South, coming from segregation, segregated schools, and going through integration -- Ive experienced a lot of whats going on firsthand, and fortunately we talked and [dealt] with each other.Guys were real. Guys have sincere feelings, sincere thoughts, sincere things to talk about, and concerns. And thats what all this is to be about, to induce conversation, and thats what our players can do.No Dallas Mavericks or New Orleans Pelicans players displayed any form of protest before or during the national anthem of their preseason matchup in Bossier City, Louisiana, which was not broadcast on television.ESPNs Justin Verrier contributed to this report.? Jordan Factory Outlet China . Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night. Yeezy Boost 350 V3 For Sale . This should be celebrated because it will not always be this way. With the amount of money given to players by their clubs these days, it is a wonder that so many of those teams allow the sport to continue to take away many of their assets so they can play for a different team in the middle of their season. http://www.brandshoescheaponline.com/ . -- Ohio States Urban Meyer has never had any issue acclimating to the biggest stages in college football. Adidas Ultra Boost Clearance Sale . - Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie never doubted he would bring back coach Dennis Allen for a third year despite back-to-back 4-12 records. Discount Vapormax .C. -- Al Jefferson joked that he feels he can score from anywhere on the court. INDIANAPOLIS -- When Tony Stewart dreamed about winning at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, he never contemplated saying goodbye.He still cant find the words.Now, as Stewart prepares for his final Brickyard 400, hes brushing aside any talk about nostalgic reflections so he can focus instead on making one more trip to victory lane.You guys can ask me all about how Im feeling, thinking, whatever but youre wasting my time and your time, he said before Fridays practice began. All I care about is driving that race car right now. It is probably the most focused Ive been getting ready for a race. Im not amped up, or anything like that. Im just really relaxed and focused and feel good going into it.Try as he might to downplay it, this is not just another race or just another track for Stewart.Indiana is where he developed his affinity for dirt tracks and A.J. Foyt, and where his talent broke through the fierce, sometimes temperamental moments. It was here at Indianapolis that he knew he would define his career.After being born in Rushville, Indiana, and attending high school in Columbus, Indiana, Stewart got his first big break when former IMS CEO Tony George started his own series for promising American drivers like Stewart, who struggled to find job openings with IndyCar teams.Stewart quickly emerged as one of the series bright, young faces by winning the 1997 series championship. After five seasons and no Indianapolis 500 wins, Stewart left his home state for the higher-profile, better-paying NASCAR circuit that turned him into a megastar.Over the past 18 seasons, Stewart has made 601 starts, won 49 races and three Cup championships.But the Brickyard wins in 2005 and 2007 were the ones he cherished most, and picking up No. 50 on his home track would be a fitting end to a 20-year run at the Brickyard.It would be all right, I guess, Stewart joked. No, it would be cool because this is one of the marquee races. Everybody wants to win here. Definitely, I want to win here myself.Stewart insists he will not take any distractions into Sundays race even though the signs are all around that this weekend is different.His parents and stepfather sat in the fronnt row of Fridays pre-race news conference.dddddddddddd. At the end, he graciously accepted a gift from speedway president Doug Boles -- pieces of the fencing he climbed after each of his Brickyard wins.His answers sounded like a throwback to his early IndyCar days when he routinely responded to questions about track conditions or just about anything else at Indy with a nonchalant answer about throwing dirt on the track.I have no clue how many friends and family will be here this weekend, it was not my responsibility to get them all here, Stewart said when asked about potential distractions. I will see them after the race is over, but Im going to go to work here in a minute, and that is all I care about doing for three days.This weekend has started much like Stewarts season -- off script.The race billed as Farewell Smoke has been somewhat overshadowed by Jeff Gordons comeback bid in the No. 88 car. While his friends are disappointed that Stewart doesnt have the stage to himself, Stewart embraces it.He rallied from a rugged, injury-plagued start with three top-five finishes in the last four races, including his first win of the season at Sonoma, just like he did at Indianapolis. After finishing 24th on the speed chart with a fast lap of 180.505 mph Friday, he came within a whisker of earning his second Brickyard 400 pole. Hell start third, right behind pole winner Kyle Busch, after going 184.328 in qualifying.And it seems everyone has embraced the two sentimental favorites this weekend.To have Tony Stewart in his final race, Jeff Gordon in his final race -- Part 2, it is a big time, four-time Brickyard winner Jimmie Johnson said. I can only imagine how loud they are going to be at driver intros.Or how crazy the fans would get if the 45-year-old Stewart winds up scaling the fence one more time before focusing on team ownership full-time.Even now, Stewart cant quite find the proper description.Im not doing all the sentimental, crying stuff you guys think Im going to be doing, he said. Im going to race this weekend. ' ' '