With the Golden State Warriors’ invitation to the White House "withdrawn" by Donald Trump in September, the defending NBA champions have chosen to do something else during their Feb. 27 trip to the nation’s capital, insiders told ESPN. Because let’s face it—the Warriors didn’t want to go to the White House anyway.
Instead, the players have decided to spend the day with local kids at a select venue, which won’t be available to the media, ESPN reported. Only players, coaches, and students will be allowed to attend the event.
"It's their championship. They got uninvited to the White House, so it's up to them what they wanted to do. So they made their plans," Steve Kerr told ESPN. "I want the players to have a good day and to do something positive and to enjoy what they're doing."
Both Warriors guard Stephen Curry and forward Kevin Durant have been candid about their feelings towards Trump, since he came into office—and, as we've found, Curry has quite the sharp tongue. Last February, after Under Armour CEO called Trump an "asset," Curry told the San Jose Mercury News, "I agree with that description if you remove the 'et.'" Even before Trump retracted his invitation, the players were already inclined to vote against going to the White House, sources said.
"We're not trying to divide and separate this country," Curry said, in response to Trump's tweet about him. "We're trying to bring everybody together and speak about love and togetherness and equality. I think that was demonstrated in response to what happened this morning, which is a powerful thing for sure."
The team kicked around a few options, including visiting Durant’s hometown of Seat Pleasant, Maryland. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi—both Democratic Party members—also invited the Warriors to commemorate their win at the U.S. Capitol. However, the team turned the invitation down because they didn't want the event to be seen as political.
"At the end of the day, it's about us celebrating a championship, so there's no point in getting into the political stuff and all that," forward Draymond Green told ESPN. "It's about something we did great. Why make it about [politics]?"
The Washington Wizards and the Warriors face off on Feb. 28.
