Well, so much for the NBA making it through the season without a national anthem controversy.
Though, in fairness, this controversy doesn’t seem anywhere near as divisive as the NFL’s problems.
Rather, it seems to be universally accepted that musical artist Fergie delivered one of the worst, and most over-the-top, renditions of the national anthem before a sporting event, possibly ever.
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It was a slow and uneven performance that couldn’t decide if it was trying to be a traditional singing of the national anthem or a jazz version.
Full video of Fergie singing the National Anthem at the 2018 NBA All-Star game and the priceless reaction from Draymond Green, the players and a few celebs. pic.twitter.com/zcwxGU9S1z
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) February 19, 2018
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It became painfully obvious that Fergie’s attempt to make the national anthem “sexy” had backfired spectacularly.
It was bad enough that players and fans who were awaiting for the NBA All-Star game to begin couldn’t help but laugh or snicker.
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Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green seemed stunned at first, with his mouth hanging agape, before realizing the absurdity of the rendition and laughing.
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James and Warriors forward Kevin Durant couldn’t help but laugh at what was going on.
Numerous other NBA All-Stars and coaches seemed genuinely stunned at what Fergie was doing to the national anthem.
For what it’s worth, Fergie legitimately stole the show.
According to ESPN’s Darren Rovell, 10 hours after the All-Star game had concluded, Fergie was trending No. 1 worldwide on social media.
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Not a single NBA player was even in the top 20, despite a genuinely competitive and exciting All-Star game that saw Team LeBron beat Team Stephen 148-145.
However, that No. 1 trend doesn’t come without a caveat.
Yes, people couldn’t stop talking about Fergie and her national anthem, but virtually no one had nothing good to say about it.
“My [wife] said that Fergie thought she was Marilyn Monroe singing happy birthday to JFK when she sang the anthem at the All-Star game,” Dr. Darrell Scott, CEO of the National Diversity Coalition for President Donald Trump, said.
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More diplomatic responses described the anthem as “interesting” or “amusing.”
“Fergie’s national anthem during the NBA all-star game was an embarrassment to America,” another Twitter user wrote.
Multiple people on social media wondered aloud whether or not Fergie’s rendition of the national anthem anthem was the worst ever.
Whether or not Fergie’s national anthem was, in fact, the worst of all time is irrelevant.
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The fact that it’s even in the discussion is a big, fat “L” for the NBA.
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