It’s likely you missed it unless you were at the Staples Center on Wednesday night for the entirety of the Los Angeles Lakers- Denver Nuggets game, specifically the pregame.

Actor/model/singer Tyrese Gibson (@Tyrese4Real), chosen to sing The Star-Spangled Banner before Game 5  of the two teams’ Western Conference Finals series, elected to add his own touch to Francis Scott Key’s patriotic masterpiece.

Instead of correctly singing “And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there,” Gibson substituted “Lakers” for “flag”, setting off tweets galore on the subject.

1. 
   Mancastmedia HELLO #Lakers its the NATIONAL ANTHEM! Leave your Hollywood flare at the door and honor your country 28 May 2009 from mobile web
2. 
   IanWTanner @AroundTheHorn Topic for tomorrow’s show…LA Lakers disrespect our country and flag by changing national anthem. PPL r dying to protect it 28 May 2009 from TweetDeck in reply to AroundTheHorn
3. 
   dloonk really lakers/tyrese? changing the words to the national anthem? i’m not the most patriotic of folks, but really? 28 May 2009 from web
4. 
   Uncle_Trav I am beyond pissed at @Tyrese4ReaL for thinking he has the ability to change the words to the great national anthem, boo him and the lakers 28 May 2009 from TweetDeck
5. 
   TelishaMarie @Uncle_Trav… OMG! What happened? What did Tyrese do to the national anthem? 28 May 2009 from web
6. 
   j_nunn hey @Tyrese4ReaL the national anthem means something to some of us it’s not a PR tool for you, maybe ask our troops about it 28 May 2009 from twhirl

Several notable Tweeters like Los Angeles Times columnist Bill Plaschke (@BillPlaschke) were also buzzing with ire and disdain from the display.

Lakers’ executive vice president Jeanie Buss (@JeanieBuss) was caught in the crossfire with nonchalant comments supporting the star’s version.

Here are Plaschke’s comments:

1. 
   BillPlaschke lakers already choke big-time — the national anthem singer tyrese gibson changed words of the song, sub ”lakers” for ”flag’ 28 May 2009 from web
2. 
   BillPlaschke I never heard of tyrese gibson, but he and the lakers owe somebody an apology..like, our country? 28 May 2009 from web
3. 
   BillPlaschke jeanie buss, laker vice president, amazingly sent a tweet supporting the awful anthem. I can’t believe she speaks for organization. 28 May 2009 from web
4. 
   BillPlaschke one last anthem note to jeanie — fellow citizens are dying every day for that flag..your lakers are not bigger than them, or it. 28 May 2009 from web
5. 
   BillPlaschke if the lakers want to make up their own song to sing before games, fine. but if they sing anthem, then they should stick to anthem 28 May 2009 from web

What was the ever-Twittering, celebrity-watching Buss saying?

1. 
   JeanieBuss anthem was awesome – star Tyrese sang and subbed word Lakers for Rockets and place went crazy 28 May 2009 from mobile web
2. 
   JeanieBuss Some people upset with changing words in anthem. No disrespect intended. 28 May 2009 from mobile web
3. 
   JeanieBuss Just met Kevin Love from UCLA/Timberwolves. He may replace Tony Parker as hottest guy in NBA 28 May 2009 from mobile web
4. 
   JeanieBuss Damn Twitter almost got me killed – ball came flying in my direction and I was twittering!! 28 May 2009 from mobile web

A Twitterer captures this twitpic of the performance:

Tyrese Gibson sings the National Anthem before Game 5 of Western Conference Finals

(Twitpic by @eddiecruz1)

How do you feel about Tyrese’s word-change? Tweet your thoughts to @BTsports.

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