Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf scores 19 points, as the Nuggets lose to the Bulls at the United Center in Chicago, March 15, 1996. Longtime Bulls broadcasters Wayne Larrivee and Johnny 'Red' Kerr on the call for WGN Sports.
This game marked the return of Abdul-Rauf from a one-game suspension handed down by the NBA for his longstanding choice not to stand for the playing of the national anthem. As that choice became public, with Abdul-Rauf citing his religious conscience and the history of oppression in the U.S. as his reasons, the NBA suspended him indefinitely, stating that he would be barred from playing until he agreed to follow league protocol and join his teammates in standing for the anthem before tip-offs. He agreed to stand only if he was permitted to cup his hands in front of his face and recite a dua, or Islamic prayer, as the song was played or performed.
While the suspension only lasted a single game, it's widely believed that this marked the beginning of the end for Abdul-Rauf's NBA career, mainly due to the unfavorable press and negative fan reaction his stance received. After starting at point guard for the Nuggets all season, and leading the team in scoring and assists (with averages of 19 points and 7 assists per game), he was brought off the bench for this and the remaining three games he played in a Nuggets uniform. Booed loudly in each, he aggravated a left foot injury while playing the Nets on March 21, 1996, left the game in the 2nd quarter, and never suited up for the Nuggets again.
Abdul-Rauf was traded to the Kings in the off-season (for Sarunas Marciulionis and a 2nd round draft pick), where he played for two years. Despite being the team's second leading scorer during his initial season (Mitch Richmond was first), Abdul-Rauf's minutes steadily dwindled and his place in the rotation eventually disappeared. Following his stint with the Kings, he played overseas, in Turkey, before making a brief return to the NBA in the 2000-01 season as a reserve for the Grizzlies, then based in Vancouver. He continued to play overseas for another decade, garnering praise in Italy and Greece especially (playing for Sedima Roseto and Aris Salonika, respectively). He eventually retired in his early 40s, following a successful stint in the Japanese league (playing for Kyoto Hannaryz).
Boxscore: www.basketball-reference.com/b...
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12 фев 2016
