The 2023 WNBA season has begun and toPhoenix Mercury starBrittney Griner, it is a chance for a fresh start. Basketball fans will certainly be aware of the issues that BG had to undergo over the past year. She traveled to Russia in order to play overseas during the offseason and ended up getting arrested after Marijuana vape cartridges were found in her luggage at the airport.
She was brought to trial and soon found guilty. However, powerful moments and voices came into play urging the United States to find a way to facilitate her release. There was also a fair share of people claiming that she shouldn t be released due to her anti-national behavior and that she got what she deserved.
While people should certainly be punished for making mistakes, some can show that they are capable of change. After going through a life-altering experience, Griner has reassessed the principles she holds and has been judged for in the past. Let us take a closer look at what they were and the potential reasons behind her change in behavior.
Brittney Griner has now changed her mind about standing up for the US National Anthem
Perhaps, this should be expected considering the amount of work and effort put in by the United States management in order to secure her release. Some fans will know that the United States managed to bring her back at the cost of releasing an arms dealer called Viktor Bout.
One could argue that the US had no real reason to secure her freedom considering the opinions she has shared in the past. BG has claimed that the National Anthem should not be played at basketball games and that she would not stand up out of respect for them.
WNBA Player Brittney Griner plans to stand for the national anthem in her first game since she was released from a Russian prison.
The 6ft 9 player previously refused to stand on the basketball court if the anthem played and even went a step further by saying the U.S. pic.twitter.com/wIMX3mOLAo
Oli London (@OliLondonTV) May 19, 2023
That was before her arrest and nearly year-long imprisonment in Russia. She seems to have had a change of heart after the very same nation she criticized fought hard to save her. Now, reports have come in that Griner plans to stand for the National Anthem. She claimed that the long months in Russia brought about this change in mindset. However, not all fans are completely buying into the new version of BG.
He s just showing his hypocrisy. I d like to see him, without cue cards and advanced notice, say the Pledge of Allegiance. Bet he doesn t even know it. And his butt doesn t belong in WNBA.
Realist American (@RealistAmerica1) May 19, 2023
Too little
Too late
to earn any respect from meDiane Hardwick (@DianeHardwick) May 19, 2023
But how long do you feel this will last?
BPKey792 (@BKey792) May 19, 2023
Some pointed out that this was hypocritical and others claimed that she was doing too little too late. Fans also mocked the fact that Griner had to spend 10 months in a Russian prison before accepting an innate sense of nationality.
All it took was 10 months in Russsian prison. Who knew!
Debi Stafford MSN, FNP (@NurseDebiFNP) May 20, 2023
Prison changes people, Homie!
El Pooopi (@ElPooopi) May 19, 2023
In any case, we are glad to see that Brittney Griner seems to be mending her ways and addressing her own mistakes from the past. We wish her and the Phoenix Mercury the best of luck for the 2023 WNBA season.
