Steph Curry doesn’t want to go to the White House now that the Warriors won the NBA title. Neither does LeBron James, had his Cavaliers won the series. That’s good, because on Friday President Donald Trump made it clear he doesn’t want them there either.
President Trump says NBA champion won’t be invited to White House after both teams’ leaders say they don’t want invite
Both LeBron James and Steph Curry said their teams wouldn’t visit the president.
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Trump, fresh off canceling the NFL champion Philadelphia Eagles’ White House appearance when it became clear he wasn’t going to draw much of a crowd, says this year’s NBA Finals winner won’t have the chance to turn down his invitation to Washington D.C. Because they won’t be getting one.
“We’re not going to invite either team,” he told reporters Friday morning.
It’s not a surprising move from the president. Last year, the Warriors took their time to make an official team decision on whether they’d visit the White House after winning the NBA title. When Curry’s comments suggested the team could turn down the ceremony, Trump made a public showing of cancelling their invite via Twitter.
Instead, members of the Golden State roster spent their first road trip in the nation’s capital touring an African-American history museum with a group of school children.
2018 was heading for a similar showdown. This time, both sides made their intentions clear before the Larry O’Brien trophy could even be handed out to the Warriors. When Trump canceled the Eagles’ ceremony, James told reporters neither team was eager to visit the White House next fall.
Hours later, Curry added his two cents, telling reporters “I agree with ‘Bron.”
It’s the latest chapter in a war of words between the President of the United States and two of the biggest stars in American sports. Curry’s disdain for Trump manifested last summer when he made comments suggesting he didn’t want go to the White House to be feted even if there was a ceremony. James backed him up after Trump yanked the invite, calling the president a “bum” in the process.
Now James and Curry don’t have to worry about turning down the White House’s invitation. According to Trump’s latest comments, there won’t be one.
Update: House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Barbara Lee have invited the Warriors to the Capitol. No date has been set for a visit.
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