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New York Knicks proprietor James Dolan says his squad will go nan first NBA champions to sojourn Donald Trump astatine nan White House.
“We conscionable did person an invitation from nan White House, which we accepted,” Dolan said during an quality on WFAN New York connected Wednesday. “We still person to fig retired nan specifications … but yes, of course. Look, I invited nan president to travel down for [last week’s Game 3 of nan NBA finals]. He is simply a friend. I’ve known him for 30 years and I’m very proud to bring nan squad to nan White House.”
The sojourn whitethorn not spell down good pinch ample sections of nan Knicks fanbase. The president was greeted pinch boos and jeers erstwhile he appeared connected nan jumbotron astatine Madison Square Garden astatine nan commencement of Game 3. The reception was unsurprising: NBA fans skew liberal and nan Knicks play successful a metropolis that firmly backed Kamala Harris successful nan 2024 statesmanlike election.
It is besides questionable really galore of nan Knicks players will attend. Forward Josh Hart celebrated Joe Biden’s triumph successful nan 2020 statesmanlike predetermination by calling Trump a “dumbass” connected societal media. Other players whitethorn beryllium much supportive: halfway Mitchell Robinson is simply a registered Republican and called Trump’s sojourn to MSG “cool, I guess”.
Last season’s NBA champions, nan Oklahoma City Thunder, did not sojourn nan White House due to a “timing issue”.
Title-winning teams successful awesome US sports person traditionally received invitations from nan president to sojourn nan White House aft their victories. Such visits person go politically fraught during Trump’s 2 position successful power.
The past NBA champions to sojourn nan White House were nan Boston Celtics successful 2024, during Biden’s presidency.
The Golden State Warriors chose not to sojourn Trump’s White House aft their 2017 title – he later said he had withdrawn their invitation – and they were not invited aft their 2018 championship. The Warriors had visited while Barack Obama was successful office, and made nan travel nether Biden’s management after their 2022 title.
The 2019 champion Toronto Raptors did not sojourn while Trump was successful office, pinch players ruling retired a trip earlier an invitation had been offered, and nan 2020 Los Angeles Lakers skipped their visit to Biden’s White House because of pandemic wellness and information protocols.
