On Tuesday, basketball stars Lebron James and Stephen Curry of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors stated that regardless of who wins the NBA finals, neither of their teams would want to visit the White House.
The statements by James and Curry follow the recent rescinded invitation of the Super Bowl Champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, due to the NFL's national anthem controversy.
“James, whose Cleveland Cavaliers are trailing the Golden State Warriors 2-0 in the NBA Finals, said neither team would be interested in attending if they win a championship this year -- or as long as Mr. Trump is in office,” reported CBS.
"It's typical of him, I'm not surprised…I know no matter who wins this series, no one wants the invite anyway. It won't be Golden State or Cleveland going," said James in a Cleveland press conference today, preceding tonight’s game.
Similarly, Curry said: "I agree with 'Bron. Pretty sure the way we handled things last year, we'd stay consistent with that. At the end of the day, every team has an opportunity to make for themselves and speak for themselves -- and that's powerful being in that situation."
Curry is referencing last year's controversy when the Warriors declined an invitation the White House. President Trump uninvited the Warriors, after Curry had already declined, claiming that Curry was hesitating and did not deserve the invite.
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President Trump rescinded the invitation in a tweet: “Going to the White House is considered a great honor for a championship team. Stephen Curry is hesitating, therefore invitation is withdrawn!”
In this instance, James came to the defense of Curry and the Warriors. The last NBA team to attend the White House visit was the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016, when Barack Obama was still president.
James similarly came to Curry’s defense, tweeting: “U bum @StephenCurry30 already said he ain't going! So therefore ain't no invite. Going to White House was a great honor until you showed up!”
"Let's not let someone uninviting you to their house take away from that moment, because I think the championship ... is way bigger than being invited to the White House, especially with him in there, in my opinion," said James of this year's NBA Final.
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