The 2022 NBA All-Star game is underway in Cleveland, but why was the Canadian national anthem sung before the game? Why is it sung along with the US anthem?
There’s nothing like tradition at sporting events.
Nothing beats the national anthem being played as players line up ready to take each other on.
The NBA All-Star game in Cleveland is underway in Cleveland as Team LeBron takes on Team Durant.
Prior to the game starting, the Canadian anthem, O Canada was sung along with the US national anthem The Star Spangled Banner.
Why is the Canadian anthem sung at the NBA All-Star game? What is the reason behind it?
- TRENDING: How many fans are at the NBA All-Star game?
Canadian anthem NBA All-Star game
The reason why the Canadian anthem was sung at the NBA All-Star game is actually pretty simple.
There is a Canadian team in the NBA.
The Toronto Raptors are the only team based outside the United States to play in the NBA.
In 2019, the Raptors claimed their first NBA championship, to go with the six divisional titles they had.
They’ve since won a seventh in 2020.
Even though the Raptors aren’t playing in the game, O Canada is still sung at the NBA All-Star game as a mark of respect to the Ontario-based team.
Who sung it?
Ryland James, a Canadian pop singer sung O Canada at the NBA All-Star game.
He is 22 years old, and is from Ontario – the capital of Canada.
The US national anthem was sung by Macy Gray – the grammy award-winning R&B artist.
At the end of the first quarter of the NBA All-Star game, Team LeBron was leading 47-45.
After three quarters of 12 minutes each, there will be a timeless fourth quarter.
The teams need to reach the total number of points scored by the leading team in the first three quarters, plus 24 to win.
It is 24 points in honour of the late Kobe Bryant and one of his former shirt numbers.
- EXPLAINED: What is the net worth of NBA icon Dennis Rodman?
In other news, Meet the members of Team GB’s Curling Men and Women’s team as they go for Beijing gold