MIAMI -- A woman performing the national anthem before an NBA preseason game between the 76ers and Heat on Friday night did so while kneeling at midcourt, and she opened her jacket to show a shirt bearing the phrase Black Lives Matter.The singer was identified by the Miami Heat as Denasia Lawrence, who called the Black Lives Matter movement a rallying cry while explaining her decision to kneel in a Facebook post early Saturday.Were being unjustly killed and overly criminalized, Lawrence wrote. I took the opportunity to sing and kneel to show that we belong in this country and that we have the right to respectfully protest injustices against us.Heat players and coaches stood side by side for the anthem, with their arms linked, as has been their custom during the preseason. Many had their heads down as Lawrence sang, and the team released a statement saying it had no advance knowledge that she planned to kneel.We felt as a basketball team that we would do something united, so that was our focus, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. Throughout all of this, I think the most important thing that has come out is the very poignant, thoughtful dialogue. Weve had great dialogue within our walls here, and hopefully this will lead to action.The anthem issue has been a major topic in the sports world in recent months, starting with the decision by San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick to not stand for its playing. Kaepernick cited racial injustice and police brutality among the reasons for his protest, and athletes from many sports -- and many levels, from youth all the way to professional -- have followed his lead in various ways.All I can say is what weve seen in multiple preseason games so far is our players standing for the national anthem, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in New York earlier Friday, at a news conference after the leagues board of governors meetings. It would be my hope that they would continue to stand for the national anthem. I think that is the appropriate thing to do.The NBA has a rule calling for players and coaches to stand during the anthem.Heat guard Wayne Ellington often speaks about the need to curb gun violence, after his father was shot and killed two years ago. He had his eyes closed for most of the anthem Friday, as per his own custom, though he was aware of Lawrences actions.At the end of the day, to each his own, Ellington said. If she feels like thats the way she wants to stand for it, then more power to her.Making a statement in the manner that Lawrence did Friday is rare, but not unheard of in recent weeks.When the Sacramento Kings played their first home preseason game earlier this month, anthem singer Leah Tysse dropped to one knee as she finished singing the song.Tysse is white. Lawrence is black.I love and honor my country as deeply as anyone yet it is my responsibility as an American to speak up against injustice as it affects my fellow Americans, Tysse wrote on Facebook. I have sung the anthem before but this time taking a knee felt like the most patriotic thing I could do. I cannot idly stand by as black people are unlawfully profiled, harassed and killed by our law enforcement over and over and without a drop of accountability.Alen Hanson Jersey . -- Edmontons Val Sweeting is two wins away from a trip to Winnipeg to play in Canadas Road of the Rings in December. Freddy Galvis Jersey . 1, meaning problems for the doping controls at both major international sports events next year. The World Anti-Doping Agency provisionally suspended the Moscow Antidoping Center on Sunday, saying its operations must improve or a six-month ban on the facilitys accreditation will be imposed. http://www.bluejaysonline.com/blue-jays-dalton-pompey-jersey/ . Ibaka equaled a career high with 20 rebounds, adding four blocked shots and 15 points as the Thunder smothered the Milwaukee Bucks offence in a 92-79 victory Saturday night. Devon Travis Jersey . -- Eastern Kentucky thrives off creating havoc for others. Rowdy Tellez Jersey . The mixed zone is not a place to make friends.Will Broncos persist with touch footy approach?The Broncos are back in form after they totally threw the shackles off last week in terms of the style of football theyre playing. But Im interested to see if they persist with that touch-football style theyre using.What they did last week in beating the Storm was avoid the wrestle and Im led to believe theyve been training this touch football style for about a month now. What it does is encourage players to stay in an active support role because they know theyve got to be prepared to take a pass at any time. The Broncos style is really difficult to defend against because it allows both Ben Hunt and Anthony Milford to hit multiple ball-runners.There were a couple of instances against the Storm when Broncos players controlled the ball in one hand, with superb skill, and showed a real willingness to keep the ball alive. Sam Thaiday threw an unbelievable pass at one stage that led to a try, and thats just great to see because I think coaches in the NRL can get overly conservative and too obsessed with completion rates.Thaidays pass showed the reward teams can get when they have a little more creative licence. But its all about recognising the right time to attempt those passes, too.So Im really looking forward to seeing if they continue this approach against the Roosters on Thursday night or whether they go back to more of a Wayne Bennett style, and play a more conservative, boring brand of football.Storms big chance to wow MelbourneObviously there are a couple of huge games to round out the season, and Im particularly excited to watch the Storm and Sharks face off for the minor premiership. The fact that the minor premiership will be decided in the final round is a great sign for our game.The Sharks finally returned to some form against the Roosters last weekend while the Storm, who had been the benchmark for the last 12 weeks or so, got blown off the park by the Broncos.ddddddddddddAnd the big kicker here is that there is no AFL this weekend, which should hopefully result in a near full-house for the Storm. Its a great opportunity for the Storm to showcase rugby league, and a big crowd would certainly help get them over the line against the Sharks.Paul Gallen was huge for the Sharks on his return last week and Cronulla will need another big game from him this week, too. Whatever the result, were going to get a really good idea if one or both of these sides can go on and lift the trophy in a few weeks time.All roads lead to Leichhardt OvalThe other game Im really looking forward to watching is the Tigers vs. Raiders. Obviously the game between the Cowboys and Titans will decide whether the Tigers are still a chance come Sunday. But if youre to go by the form guide, it looks like the Tigers will have everything to play for when they run out onto Leichhardt Oval.There will be a big crowd at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday afternoon, too. The Tigers have had a tough couple of years for a variety of reasons, and its been pretty amazing how theyve managed to turn what has been a pretty horrendous year into something special.As for Jason Taylor being justified in his decision not to play Robbie Farah, I think it has proven to be the right call even if they dont make the finals. The way the Tigers have played over the last four weeks; weve seen the development of Mitchell Moses and we know these young halves are the future. The extra responsibility seems to agree with Moses in particular, and he already seems to be a more confident player.Robbie was going to be on $900,000 next year and while that is a great deal for him, the club had to make a business decision and if the coach and player didnt get on then the coach had to take action. ' ' '