Houston Rockets shooting guard and point guard James Harden said he recently wore a Blue Lives Matter mask because it covered his beard and because he liked the way it looked.

The Rockets posted a photo of the All-Star athlete Thursday with the caption “Mask up.”

In the photo, Harden can be seen wearing a mask that covers his prominent beard, mouth and nose. The blue and white face covering shows a skull and an American flag. A thin blue line runs down the side.

Many social media users responded to the post, criticizing Harden for purportedly supporting Blue Lives Matter, a movement started in 2014 as a counter movement to the Black Lives Matter movement. The movement is symbolized by the American flag with a blue stripe.

In the last few months, tensions have been mounting between law enforcement agencies and civilians who have been protesting and demanding justice for Black Americans killed by police, including Rayshard Brooks, Elijah McClain, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd.

“Read the room,” one Twitter user wrote.

“An American flag with what seems to be the Punisher logo and a blue stripe is an interesting choice given the current climate,” another person commented.

The Black Lives Matter and Blue Lives Matter groups have often been viewed, like politics, as movements in which people can choose only one side. The two groups have, in fact, been politicized by many.

According to an article published by The Washington Post, “Black Lives Matter activists have protested what they deem as excessive force by police, and they have called attention to specific instances in which police shot unarmed civilians. Those who respond with ‘Blue Lives Matter’ argue it’s officers who are under assault — that criticism of police fosters animosity toward law enforcement.”

“People see a thin blue line mask and think he supports the small amount of police that abuse their power,” a Twitter user wrote in response to Harden’s choice of mask. “Maybe it’s to support all of the good cops who get labeled as bad because of the few bad cops!”

Others described the symbol as a “fascist extremist icon” and expressed their disappointment in Harden.

Harden said he wasn’t trying to make a political statement.

“I wore it because it covered my face, my beard,” he said. “I thought it looked cool. That was it.”

The Olympic athlete is set to play during a Rockets’ first exhibition game on July 24. The 2019-2020 NBA season will resume beginning July 30 after being postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. All games will be played at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida.

Game venues, including The Arena, the HP Field House and the Visa Athletic Center, will have “Black Lives Matter,” pained on sidelines, and players are allowed to have select social justice messages emblazoned on their jerseys during games.

In a statement earlier this month, the NBA said it believes Black lives matter and pledged to promote equality and to push for change.

Harden said he supports the Black Lives Matter movement, but he hasn’t yet decided what he’ll have printed on the back of his jersey.

Cox Media Group