Will the Warriors visit the White House?
OAKLAND, Calif. (KTVU) - As the Golden State Warriors kicked off the NBA season with their annual Media Day, the question remained unanswered as to whether they'd make the traditional visit to the White House as NBA Champions.
Players from the team faced the media from the podium at their downtown Oakland practice facility.
"At the end of the day, we are the ones that have to attend. If we decide to attend, and I think it's only right that we all decide together. It's not one person's choice, it's not two people. It will be between all of us," said Draymond Green.
Traditionally the NBA Champs would make the White House visit during an off day on an East Coast road swing. For the Warriors, this meant it would possibly take place at the end of February 2018.
So far, the team has not received a formal invitation from the White House and as the players decide to make the visit, guard Stephen Curry, who has made it clear he doesn't want to attend, says this is a good opportunity to send a strong message.
"That we don't stand for basically what our president has -- the things that he said and the things that he hasn't said in the right terms; that we won't stand for it. And by acting and not going, hopefully that will inspire some change when it comes to what we tolerate in this country and what is accepted and what we turn a blind eye to," said Curry.
If the White House finds out that the Warriors would turn down a visit, it's likely no invitation would be extended. Right now the ball is in Golden State's court and fans shopping Walnut Creek's team store had opinions.
"Me personally, they should go because it's a once in a lifetime for them and they are champions. It's been a tradition for them, so I think they should go," said Kevin Callaghan from Concord.
Other fans disliked the fact that politics is intersecting with sports. Longtime fan Laurie Radanovich of Danville said, "I would like to see politics put aside and go. And support and let the country celebrate in their championship and see them celebrate and enjoy a really good thing that happened in the Bay Area."
In 2016, when Golden State beat Cleveland, the trip to the White House was without controversy, but former President Barack Obama was a vocal basketball fan and even shared a tweet saying of the the Warriors, "They're the kind of people you want to representing a city, representing the NBA."
But that was a different time. Faced with a different administration, players like Andre Iguodala didn't mince words saying, "North Korea is on our ass, I heard, so we've got bigger problems than the guys shooting the ball in the hoop going to the White House."
It was clear Media Day opinions concerning the White House visit wasn't about Steph Curry, Kevin Durant or any single player.
Curry has said any decision will be made as a group and under one voice. Head coach Steve Kerr has also stated a decision will be made some time later this fall.