Perkins Takes Different Stand

Standing at attention for the national anthem is against Sonic center Sam Perkins' religion, but his response is considerably more subtle than Denver's Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf.

Abdul-Rauf, a follower of Islam, had refused to stand for the national anthem this season. He said that his holy book, the Koran, states that nothing should stand between him and Allah. The league has suspended him indefinitely for his refusal.

Perkins stands during the anthem, but well out of line from his teammates. He believes it's his way of being true to his religion, Jehovah's Witnesses.

NBA rules state that players, coaches and trainers "must stand and line up in a dignified posture."

"I don't salute the flag because of my religion, what I believe in," Perkins said. "We can't worship, or trust or put our beliefs in something else. Jehovah's Witnesses don't do that. It's another form of idols."

During the playing of the anthem, he will "think about other things, about the game."

He stands "because, (unlike) Mahmoud, I don't want to be fined." But Perkins questions whether the NBA had the right to suspend Abdul-Rauf.

Detlef Schrempf, a German who didn't want to give his opinion on flag salutes, agreed with Perkins.

"It's his beliefs. It's a free country," Schrempf said. "If he doesn't want to stand for it, I don't believe the NBA has the right to make him."