NBA figures are reacting Saturday after President Donald Trump responded to Stephen Curry’s critical comments by withdrawing the Golden State Warriors’ White House invitation.
Curry had voiced his opposition to a Warriors White House visit on Friday, but the team had been due to discuss it together on Saturday. Trump, though, made their decision for them with an early morning tweet.
Going to the White House is considered a great honor for a championship team.Stephen Curry is hesitating,therefore invitation is withdrawn!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 23, 2017
ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne noted that there was no formal invite made yet, so there was nothing to revoke — though one would have been offered had the Warriors chosen to go.
Curry’s on-court rival, LeBron James, offered the most stinging condemnation of the President.
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!
— LeBron James (@KingJames) September 23, 2017
Others, including Houston’s Chris Paul and Washington’s Bradley Beal, also had their say.
How you gonna withdraw an invite that somebody already said they weren't attending?
— Bradley Beal (@RealDealBeal23) September 23, 2017
With everything that's going on in our country, why are YOU focused on who's kneeling and visiting the White House??? #StayInYoLane
— Chris Paul (@CP3) September 23, 2017
Likely owing to how early Trump’s tweet went out on the west coast, reaction from the Warriors themselves was muted on Saturday morning. Golden State forward David West, who has been a vocal critic of Trump, sent a very simple response.
— David West (@D_West30) September 23, 2017
Ayesha Curry replied directly to Trump and used the moment as an appeal for Mexican earthquake relief.
Okay… Donate to earthquake relief here!!! https://t.co/HL5cvwbGtQ
— Ayesha Curry (@ayeshacurry) September 23, 2017
Odds are the Warriors wouldn’t have been going to the White House, invitation or not. Trump decided to try the old “you can’t say no because you’re not invited anyway” trick to preempt things.
