LeBron says he plans to stand during anthem

LeBron James says he plans to stand during the national anthem, but he supports San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s decision to kneel in protest.

LeBron James has been horrified at the videos of police shootings and violence he’s seen over the past few months. Like many Americans, he’s anxious for change.

He says it’s not happening quickly enough.

“I’m not here to ramp on America, that’s not me,” James told the Associated Press on Monday. “I’m not a politician, but I’ve lived this life and I’ve got a family and what scares me is my kids growing up in this society right now, where innocent lives are being taken and it seems like nothing is being done.”

James, who delivered an NBA title to title-starved Cleveland earlier this summer, spoke passionately about his concerns for his children’s future and other social topics to the AP and during a wider interview session as the Cavaliers held their first media day as defending champions.

James said plans to stand during the national anthem and said he supports San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick, whose decision to kneel has sparked a heated national debate.

“I’m all in favor of anyone, athlete or non-athlete, being able to express what they believe in in a peaceful manner and that’s exactly what Colin Kaepernick is doing and I respect that,” James said. “When I’m passionate about something I’ll speak up on it, so me standing for the national anthem is something I will do. That’s who I am, that’s what I believe in. But that doesn’t mean I don’t respect and don’t agree with what Colin Kaepernick is doing.

“You have the right to voice your opinion, stand for your opinion and he’s doing it in the most peaceful way I’ve ever seen someone do something,” James said.

The three-time champion admires how Kaepernick has continued an important conversation James and his friends Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade and Chris Paul helped further in July when they took the stage together at the ESPYs, ESPN’s annual awards show, and decried violence against unarmed black men. The foursome also encouraged athletes to do more to support local police and improve communities.

“Obviously, I know things don’t happen overnight, but it doesn’t seem like there is any change,” he told the AP. “We just want the conversation to continue to be, ‘Who are our leaders? Who are our true leaders that are going to help us change what’s going on?’ Everyone is looking for that and no one knows.”

Rose reports

Derrick Rose said he isn’t worried about a rape trial set to start next week because he feels he “didn’t do anything wrong.”

Rose said he is instead focused on his first season with the New York Knicks. His first practice with the team will be Tuesday.

“My concern is just playing well this year,” Rose said. “I can’t think about the case. I feel like I’m innocent and I feel like I didn’t do anything wrong, like I said, and I can’t let that distract me with the year that I have ahead of me.”

A woman sued Rose last year in California, contending the former MVP and two of his friends raped her in August 2013 while she was incapacitated after a night of drinking. Rose and the others say they had consensual sex with her that night.

The civil trial is scheduled to begin Oct. 4 — barring any settlement — the day the Knicks play their exhibition opener in Houston. It’s unclear how much, if any, of the preseason he would have to miss if there is a trial.

“I’m not worried about it, but if I do have to miss time, it’s a part of it,” Rose said. “Of course I don’t want to be in this position, but it is what it is and I’m going to let my lawyers and my team handle it.”

Rose added that he hadn’t heard anything about a possibility of criminal charges being brought.

Pierce final season

Paul Pierce says this season with the Los Angeles Clippers will be his last as an NBA player.

Pierce made the announcement in a posting on The Players Tribune . He turns 39 next month and says “it’s time to move on from the game of basketball” and says he will take time to savor every moment that this season brings.