Before both home games against the Canadian franchise Toronto Raptors in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, the Nets played both the Canadian and American anthems while tens of officials in uniform held a giant, court-wide American flag at center court.
Though it’s possible they’ve used it before, it’s the first time I can recall the Nets using the giant flag all season. Even if they have, it seems like a subtle jab at the Raptors.
The flag also inspired chants of “U-S-A!” in retaliation for the Raptors, I guess, being in Canada, despite none of their players being natives of the country. Then again, Raptors GM Masai Ujiri did scream “F— Brooklyn” to raucous cheers despite no Nets player even living in Brooklyn, so I guess all’s fair in taunts & jeers.
