Tipsheet

New York Knicks Player Skips Military Dinner, Has "Mixed Feelings" About American Wars

New York Knicks center Joakim Noah has refused to attend a dinner event with Army cadets at West Point because it's hard for him to "understand why we have to go to war."

Noah added he had "mixed feelings" about spending time at the West Point Military Academy, where the Knicks are holding training camp this week, because he is opposed to the idea of young troops fighting in wars.

"It's hard for me a little bit. I have a lot of respect for the kids who are out here fighting. But it's hard for me to understand why we have to go to war, why kids have to kill kids around the world," Noah said after a practice on Friday. "So I have mixed feelings about being here. I'm very proud of this country. I love America but I just don't understand kids killing kids around the world."

He added: "At the end of the day, I'm not anti-troops. It's just not comfortable for me to see kids going out to war and coming back having seen what they've seen, having done what they've done. It's sad for me. It's sad for me because they're just sent out for things that I don't really want to get into it to be honest with you. It's hard for me."

Noah says he feels “uncomfortable’’ the Knicks are conducting training camp for the third straight year at West Point.  

But do not worry America, not all NBA players feel the same as Noah when it comes to the military.