President Donald Trump rescinded a White House invitation to Stephen Curry of the NBA champion Golden State Warriors on Saturday, setting the sports world ablaze and drawing a public rebuke from LeBron James.
Curry, a two-time Most Valuable Player, said Friday he would vote against the Warriors visiting the White House, a tradition for championship teams. Trump responded the following morning, saying the "invitation is withdrawn."
"Going to the White House is considered a great honor for a championship team. Stephen Curry is hesitating, therefore invitation is withdrawn!" Trump wrote.
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/911572182060453893
James responded on Twitter shortly after, calling Trump a "bum" and saying going to the White House was an honor until Trump became president. James' Cleveland Cavaliers have faced Curry's Warriors in the last three NBA Finals, with the Cavaliers winning in 2016 and the Warriors winning in 2015 and 2017.
U bum @StephenCurry30 already said he ain't going! So therefore ain't no invite. Going to White House was a great honor until you showed up!
— LeBron James (@KingJames) September 23, 2017
Fellow Golden State Warrior Kevin Durant has already said he will not visit the White House either.
A day earlier at a campaign rally in Alabama, Trump referred to any NFL players who disrespect the American flag by kneeling for the national anthem as a "son of a bitch" who should get off the field. He said owners should fire any players who do so.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell slammed the remarks as showing a "lack of respect" for the league.