Warriors coach Steve Kerr appeared on “The TK Show” podcast with the San Jose Mercury News' Tim Kawakami where he discussed whether the team would visit the White House to be feted for their NBA title. Kerr said, "We have not received an invitation yet from the White House.” When asked if he wanted or would accept an invitation, Kerr said, “This is a visit that’s about the team and we have not met about it because we haven’t been invited, but I would want to make sure that the players gave this really a lot of thought. Everybody knows I’ve been a very outspoken critic of [President] Trump and as a result, maybe we won’t even get the invitation. But I do think it’s very important to consider a potential invitation, because I think it could have really positive ramifications if we did go. ... I, like many of our players, are very offended by some of Trump’s words and actions. On the other hand, I do think there’s something to respecting the office, respecting our institution, our government and I think it could make a statement at a time when there’s so much (of a) divide and everybody seems to be angry with each other. ... Now that may be incredibly idealistic, but I would want to at least bring that up with our players as an option, rather than just coming out and saying, ‘No way, I’m not going.’” Kawakami said to Kerr, “If the players wanted to go, you would go up there and you would maybe hand a jersey to President Trump?” Kerr: “You’re all of a sudden putting these images out there that are interesting, but I would want to have that discussion with our players. ... But it’s something I would absolutely entertain" ("The TK Show," MERCURYNEWS.com, 6/21).
POLITICAL STATEMENT: SB NATION's Tyler Tynes noted House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) have "invited the Warriors to Capitol Hill" to celebrate their NBA Championship. The Warriors "did not immediately respond to a request for comment." Pelosi "tweeted a week ago that she’d be 'honored' to welcome the Warriors to the Capitol" (SBNATION.com, 6/21). NBCSPORTSBAYAREA.com's Monte Poole wrote, "Describing her office as 'Warriors Ground,' Lee announced the invitation through a tweet that was then retweeted by Pelosi." Warriors VP/Communications Raymond Ridder said that the offer is "available to the team as a whole, or to those that wish to make a personal visit." Lee also "acknowledged the team’s championship in a general speech before the House last week, holding a gold Warriors flag as she spoke" (NBCSPORTSBAYAREA.com, 6/20). YAHOO SPORTS' Eric Freeman notes Pelosi and Lee will "not be hosting a White House-style event for the entire team." This invitation "applies to players, coaches, and staff who will presumably be shown around the Capitol Building." Pelosi and Lee are "making a political statement." There will be "photo ops and very likely [a] press release that point out these basketball stars chose this meeting over one" with Trump. Freeman: "It’s how the game is played" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 6/22).
