The Golden State Warriors responded to the Tuesday morning report by CNBC analyst Josh Brown that the 2017 NBA Champions unanimously declined the White House's traditional championship celebration invitation.
“Today is all about celebrating our championship,” the Warriors said in a statement on Tuesday afternoon. “We have not received an invitation to the White House, but will make those decisions when and if necessary.”
On Wednesday afternoon, coach Steve Kerr told ESPN’s Zach Lowe that the reports of the Warriors unanimously voting to skip the White House visit are false.
The Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-120 in Game 5 of the Finals on Monday night to become 2017 Champions.
Shortly before the team released the statement, Warriors owner Joe Lacob appeared on ESPN’s “First Take” on Tuesday morning and was asked about the report.
“I can’t believe we’re getting this question already,” Lacob said. “But honestly, that’s something we’ll worry about at the time. That’s a long time from now.”
Lacob’s comments about how the Warriors will respond to the White House’s invitation during his appearance on “First Take” can be watched below starting at 4:07 mark.
Brown’s tweet that announced the Warriors would not attend the White House ceremony on Tuesday morning has since been deleted.
Credit: Josh Brown's Twitter account
Credit: Josh Brown's Twitter account
Warriors coach Steve Kerr has voiced criticism of President Donald Trump several times this season. In April, Kerr called the President a “blowhard” and said that Trump was “ill-suited” for the presidency when asked about what it takes to be a good coach and leader.
"Has anyone ever thought that Donald Trump was a great leader?" Kerr asked, according to USA Today.
U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), whose district includes the San Francisco Bay Area, sent a tweet on Tuesday afternoon that the Warriors we welcome at the White House.
