Hand shakes, bro hugs, and photo ops in The Oval Office. What could be more American? It’s a tradition that spans decades.
So when the New York Knicks captured the hearts of the nation earlier this summer with their unexpected historical run through the NBA playoffs, President Trump – a New Yorker and a Knicks fan himself – quickly extended the invite.
Knicks owner James Dolan quickly accepted. It would be a fitting tribute for the team that delivered New York its first NBA title in 53 years.
- Dramatic comebacks?
- Courageous undersized hero?
- Taylor Swift dancing courtside?
Check. Check and Check!
And when they defeated the highly-favored San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of The Finals to break the half-century spell, The City that Never Sleeps erupted in celebration.
Sports at its best – unifying fans from all walks of life to rally behind their team.
But then…in July, Knicks captain Jalen Brunson decided he needed to set the record straight, publicly reminding everyone that his team’s owner may have accepted the invite, but the players still hadn’t discussed it.
Wait what?! Why has a championship celebration become politically complicated?
Goodbye good vibrations!
And all you can do is ask… why?
It’s a celebration. Not a political summit. Tradition.
During the Biden administration and Obama’s two terms prior to that, I don’t recall any player, much less an entire team, missing out on their White House visit in the name of politics.
Yet during Trump’s two terms somehow not one NBA player could bother to show up to the White House… as every championship team has declined his invitation? (Trump withdrew an invitation to the Golden State Warriors when they publicly expressed their intent not to attend)
Too bad. Trump’s a sports nut. He held a UFC event at the White House for crying out loud.
He attends sporting events of all types, including Knicks games.
Even World Cup champions Spain broke into the Trump dance while insisting the President join their team photo:
And gag me with the… “but he’s a RACIST” b.s. ….YAWN!
Can we just keep politics out of sports, and sports out of politics…please?!!
