San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernicks protest of kneeling during the national anthem before NFL games, citing racial injustice and police brutality, has sparked a major reaction across the sports world. During the NBAs media days around the country on Monday, players and coaches spoke out about the social issues the U.S. is facing.San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich gave a pointed response when asked his thoughts about social unrest in the country. ? ? ??I think its really dangerous to answer such important questions that have confounded so many people for hundreds of years, to ask me to give you my solutions, as if I had any, in 30 seconds, Popovich said. So if you want to be specific about a question, Ill be more than happy to answer it because I think race is the elephant in the room in our country. The social situation that weve all experienced is absolutely disgusting in a lot of ways. Whats really interesting is the people that jump right away to say, one is attacking the police, or the people that jump on the other side. Its a question where understanding and empathy has to trump, no pun intended, has to trump any quick reactions of an ideological or demagogical nature. Its a topic that cant just be swung at; people have to be very accurate and direct in what they say and do.The New York Knicks Carmelo Anthony, who was among those to open this years ESPYS with a plea to stop the violence, said the Knicks likely will do something collectively to address the social turmoil.I think were in the same state, he said. I think its actually getting worse.Similarly strong assessments have been expressed around the league for months, as the list of U.S. cities dealing with protests -- including Baltimore, Milwaukee, Chicago, New York, Ferguson, Missouri, and now Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Charlotte, North Carolina -- over gun violence and racial turmoil continues to grow.Anthony, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Paul talked openly in July about how players and coaches can help create substantive change in cities across the country.In a league in which about 75 percent of the players are black and some have enormous social-media followings, plenty of eyes will be on the NBA to see what it does after NFL players and some athletes from other sports have taken to kneeling during national anthems or raising a fist in an effort to spark discussion about race relations and other matters.We want to do it in the right way, Anthony said Monday. Whatever we do, we want to do it as a collective group.Anthony also said he wants to continue to bring awareness to these issues.I dont know what that is yet, he said. Well figure that out. But we want to do it all together. We want everybody to feel a part of it. We want everybody to have a right to make their own decisions about what they want to do. And well go from there.Everybody sees whats going on out there in the sports world and what everybody is talking about. So for me its not about one single gesture. If the guys want to create a gesture or figure it out, well figure it out. We will address those issues. My goal is to keep the conversation moving, the conversation going. Talking to the right people, getting in front of the right people, making a stand for kinda what we believe in -- whether youre black, white, indifferent. I think its for everybody to come on board and figure everything out.The NBA has a rule requiring players and staff to stand during the national anthem, and 20 years ago Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf was suspended for a game for refusing to stand for the anthem. Abdul-Rauf, who did not respond to interview requests this week, said then that he felt the flag was a symbol of oppression.Despite that rule, which the NBA did not mention in its memo to teams, Houstons James Harden said protests on NBA courts are possible.The Rockets All-Star called the decision by Kaepernick to kneel or sit during the anthem a powerful statement.Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers, who has previously been outspoken on social issues, spoke Monday about any anthem protests and said he already has had a few conversations with the team.?Weve talked about it, he said. Its a very relevant and important issue. Whatever we do, well do as a group ... I love the fact were talking about things other than basketball. What weve discussed so far is just the issues, not the results. Were having discussions about all of the things everyone else is having discussions about ... and thats probably why protests work. ?Golden State Warriors forward?Draymond Green?also weighed in on the debate when asked by ESPNs Rachel Nichols at the Warriors media day why he felt it was important to speak out about what is going on nationally.?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.The Warriors gathered for media day, and Kevin Durant pulled on his new white No. 35 jersey and posed for playful photos with two-time reigning MVP Stephen Curry. But both Durant and Curry took time to express support for Kaepernick.Very proud of him, Durant said.Curry, Durant, Green and Klay Thompson all plan to stand for the anthem beginning with Saturdays preseason opener against Toronto in Vancouver. They appreciate Kaepernick starting an important conversation and putting it on the national conscience.What Colins doing its amazing because hes backing up what hes representing, Thompson said. Hes not just going off and seeking the spotlight or looking for attention; hes really trying to make a change. Its very honorable.Curry also was asked about residents in his hometown of Charlotte expressing themselves and their disappointment and heartbreak in the death of a black man, Keith Lamont Scott, who was fatally shot by police, leading to several days of violent protest. Curry said hes all for the expression; he just hopes they can keep finding positive ways to influence change, without violence.You dont ever want it to be violent. The first day in Charlotte it turned that way, Curry said. Thats tough to see, especially growing up in that city. I know thats not what were about, who we are as Charlotteans. You never want to be in that negative spotlight. As it went forward, everything was very constructive and productive.I think it made a huge turn for the greater good of taking a stand and doing what you can to make your voice be heard. I pray for Keith Lamont Scotts family, the officers family. There are plenty of people that are going through some very tough situations but also just for the people of the city to understand that they can use their voice, and they should do that, but violence is never going to solve anything.ESPNs Ethan Sherwood Strauss, Ian Begley and The Associated Press contributed to this report. http://www.saintsrookiestore.com/Customized/ . 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ROME -- Despite the influence of England goalkeeper Joe Hart, Torinos chances of qualifying for Europe are slipping away match by match.Torino surrendered an early advantage in a 2-2 draw at Udinese on Monday that left the Granata in eighth place, four points below the Europa League spots, and on a three-game winless streak.Torino has got to understand that it only takes a split second to go from fourth to 10th place, said Torino manager Sinisa Mihajlovic, who was sent off in the final minutes for protests.In Serie A you can lose or win against anyone. Weve got to play like Toro (Torino). If we play like Toro, we can beat anyone.Udinese, which is on a three-match unbeaten streak, is 12th.Marco Benassi was set up nicely by Andrea Belotti as Torino went ahead 15 minutes in.French forward Cyril Thereau equalized on the hour mark with a header -- his third straight match with a goal.Hart, who is on loan from Manchester City, did well to stop an effort from Duvan Zapata in the 68th but the Colombian striker, who is on loan from Napoli, put Udinese ahead two minutes later. Zapata got the last touch from close range following a rebound of a header from Mali international Molla Wague.We continue to concede goals on crosses, Mihajlovic said. Were working on this.Adem Ljajic drew Torino level in the 77th from inside the area after taking a pass from Lorenzo De Silvestri.As usual, Udineses starting lineup featured onlyy foreign players.dddddddddddd---CAGLIARI 2, PALERMO 1Cagliari captain Daniele Dessena marked his return from a year-long injury layoff in style, scoring both goals in a win over struggling Palermo.Dessena connected on a volley in the 53rd, then added another goal 11 minutes later from the center of the area.Dessena joined Cagliari in 2012 and remained with the club when the Sardinian side was relegated to Serie B for last season.Last November, Dessena broke the tibia and the fibula bones in his right leg. In May, even though still not in playing condition, he came on for the final minutes of a match against Salernitana to celebrate Cagliaris return to the top division.It was a very long year, Dessena said.In the 79th, Macedonia striker Ilija Nestorovski pulled one back for Palermo with his fifth goal of the season.Cagliari moved up to ninth, level on points with Torino, while Palermo remained one point above last-placed Crotone.Palermos winless streak was extended to six matches, putting manager Roberto De Zerbi at risk.De Zerbi was hired in September following the resignation of Davide Ballardini just two matches into the season.Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini has made almost 60 coaching changes in 29 years as a club owner.---Andrew Dampf on Twitter: www.twitter.com/asdampf Wholesale NFL White Jerseys Nike NFL Jerseys China Wholesale Stitched Jerseys Cheap NFL Womens Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys China Youth NFL Jerseys Wholesale Cheap NFL Jerseys Outlet Jerseys From China Jerseys NFL Cheap Disocunt Football Jerseys Wholesale NFL Gear Wholesale Jerseys 2018 NFL Jerseys Outlet Wholesale Jerseys 2019 NFL Jerseys Outlet ' ' '