The Golden State Warriors are the 2017 NBA champions, and with that accomplishment comes the customary White House invitation. The champions in different American sports are welcomed by the President of the United States and congratulated for their achievements. A good atmosphere usually reigns in the White House. The reception ends with the team gifting the president with a jersey bearing his name. Overall, it is an experience most athletes look forward to. However, this situation has changed ever since Donald Trump took office. Athletes who have voiced their discontent with Trump's ways are now reluctant to meet him.
Members of the Golden State Warriors can be included in this group, so will they ultimately refuse to participate in the White House visit?
Will the Warriors vote against visiting the White House?
The Warriors were crowned NBA champions on Monday. Little time has passed and rumors regarding the expected White House visit have already begun to circulate. Some reports, including one by CBC analyst Josh Brown, went on to affirm that the team had already declined the expected White House invitation. Josh Brown tweeted the following: "NBA champion Warriors skipping the White House visit, as a unanimous team decision per reports."
The Warriors have denied that they had received an invitation from the White House, but they also refrained from confirming any decision relating to the matter.
The organization released a statement on Tuesday saying that they are only focused on celebrating the NBA title right now and that they had "will make those decisions when and if necessary.”
President Trump did greet the NCAA football champion Clemson on Monday. On the other hand, several New England Patriots players missed the White House visit in April to celebrate their Super Bowl 51 victory.
One of the noticeable absences was that of five-time champion Tom Brady.
Remembering Warriors' statements about Trump
The Warriors will have a difficult decision to make. On one hand, the experience of walking around such a historic place is invaluable, and it might be their last opportunity to do so. On the other hand, those who have heard what several members of Golden State's organization have had to say about Donald Trump this past year should not be surprised if the Warriors ultimately decline to stand by the side of President Trump.
Steve Kerr, head coach of the Warriors, has already been vocal in criticizing Donald Trump. For example, he has called Trump a "blowhard" who "couldn't be more ill-suited to be President." Kerr lamented the outcome of the elections in a press conference where he made reference to Trump's history with using racist and misogynist words. Kerr affirmed that the elections "had to do with hatred and fear and we had a candidate who stirred that up, and I thought it was a horrible precedent for our country." It is probable that Kerr's opinion has not changed.
The Warriors' superstar Stephen Curry also made headlines when he spoke about Trump a few months ago. Kevin Plank, CEO of Under Armor, one of Curry's principal sponsors, had previously described Trump as a "real asset".
When asked about these words, Curry fearlessly told The San Jose Mercury News, "I agree with that description, if you remove the 'et' from 'asset'."
Had the Cleveland Cavaliers won the NBA title, would they have accepted the invitation? LeBron has been critical of Trump and won't stay at his New York hotel. However, the owner of the Cavaliers, Dan Gilbert, is known to have donated to Trump's inauguration fund.
