Mark Cuban 'absolutely' proud of NBA for speaking up against Donald Trump's travel ban

Mark Cuban, an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump, says he is “absolutely” proud of the NBA for speaking against the recent travel ban against seven Muslim-majority countries.

“That’s who we are,” Cuban said. “We’ve always tried to help those who are less fortunate. We’re community driven.”

Significant NBA figures, including San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr and Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry have been very vocal in expressing their displeasure with the policy ordered by President Trump.

Kyle Lowry on the muslim ban: "I think it's bullshit."

Media: "Do you want to try that again, without swearing?"

Kyle Lowry: "no." pic.twitter.com/a4WE712yiT

— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) January 30, 2017

“As American citizens we can never forget it’s this country first, basketball second,” Cuban said.

Cuban said it’s easier for NBA figures to be more vocal than the other sports leagues because the 12-man rosters are just more visible than, for example, the 53-man rosters in the NFL.

Cuban, who has had a German superstar in Dirk Nowitzki for nearly two decades, says the diversity is important in the NBA. He also fundamentally disagrees with the policy.

“The hypocrisy of it all is that it’s just seven countries,” Cuban said. “Now if it would’ve been all terrorist hosting countries, but seven countries? That’s like locking your door with the best security ever invented and leaving all your windows open. It just makes no sense, so I’m proud of the NBA for standing up.”

Cuban said that everybody is terrified of terrorism but this isn’t the correct way to go about confronting that fear.

“It’s like the sports analogy, character isn’t revealed when things are going well,” Cuban said. “Character is revealed when you’re under stress and you’re being challenged. We’ll see what the character of this country is.”