Kobe Bryant says he’d kneel during US anthem

MANILA, Philippines — NBA great Kobe Bryant said he would kneel during the national anthem if he was still playing.

Bryant appeared on The Hollywood Reporter's Awards Chatter podcast and was asked during a rapid-fire style of interview.

The “Blak Mamba” responded "kneel" and said he will ask US president Donald Trump to focus on "serving, not leading."

NBA commissioner Adam Silver said he expects players to stand during the anthem, adding that he will "deal with it" should a player kneel.

NFL's Colin Kaepernick was the first athlete to kneel during the national anthem as a sign of protest to racial inequality and police brutality.

Other NFL players followed him, which earned the ire of Trump.