Dwyane Wade's pregame routine has sparked an international incident, with some Canadians saying the NBA star disrespected their national anthem before Saturday's game between Wade's Miami Heat and the Toronto Raptors.
Video showed Wade taking a few extra warm-up shots as O Canada was performed before game 3 of the Eastern Conference semi-final series.
He did not take his spot standing with teammates until about 20 seconds into the playing of the Canadian anthem.
"I'm not a disrespectful person," Wade said. "So if anybody thinks I'm being disrespectful to a country, then they don't know who Dwyane Wade is."
Wade said he'd adjust his pregame ritual for game 4 of the series.
"We spoke to the team, and the Heat will work with its players to make sure no pregame routines interfere with either anthem going forward," NBA spokesman Tim Frank said.
Some videos posted online show that someone threw a ball skyward at the Raptors' end of the court a second or two into the performing of the Canadian anthem on Saturday, though it was impossible to determine who it was.
"If people aren't here, they see video footage of what they want to see," Wade said.
Canadian politicians were quick to express their displeasure with the perceived slight.
"Hey @DwyaneWade a Canadian invented the game. Respect the anthem," read a tweet from Toronto mayor John Tory.
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