In a crazy NBA weekend with the draft, trades, and numerous trade rumors surrounding the NBA stars, something was lost. That was Steve Kerr’s comments regarding a possible trip by his Golden State Warriors to the White House to visit the controversial President, Donald Trump. I’m sure you, like I, were thinking they would decline if invited after hearing Warriors GM Joseph Lacob on the situation. He essentially said they’ll have to see if they’re invited so he can’t answer basically a no in my opinion. Which is why Steve Kerr’s comments regarding it are pretty shocking.
Kerr has been very critical of Trump publicly and alike many Californians falls on the more liberal side. However, his comments seem to be making the best of the situation. On a podcast with Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury Kerr proclaimed.
“Everybody knows I’ve been a very outspoken critic of Trump…As a result, maybe we won’t even get the invitation. I do think it’s very important to consider a potential invitation because I think it could have really positive ramifications if we do go. It’s a different way to look at it, I like many of our players, am very offended by some of Trump’s words and actions. I think it could make a statement in a time where there’s so much divide and everybody seems to be angry with each other. It might be a good statement for us to go and show that ‘Hey let’s put this aside, put all the partisan stuff aside and personal stuff aside and respect the institution, and maybe even if one of you players want to voice your concerns over what’s happening, what better opportunity to do so. That may be incredibly idealistic, but I would want at least bring that up with our players as an option rather than just coming out and saying ‘No way, I’m not going.”
Some really good stuff here from Kerr, who just becomes more and more likable as you get to know him. In a world that’s so judgmental, political, and divided Kerr is trying to breach that. This is what you call being the bigger man and having respect for our government and country. I understand Trump hasn’t been great and he’s very volatile, but guess what? The country voted him President.
When you hear players like Andre Iguodala say “Hell Nah” on visiting the White House it comes off a little childish. Like Kerr said, if you have a gripe what better time to voice your side person to person? Literally, with the man himself, you might not get your wishes but you get your opportunity to voice your problems with him and the cabinet. Instead of you know being a four year old in a sandbox and saying “Nah fuck that dude. I’m not going he sucks.” That ideology is why our country is so divided and political in the first place.
Steve Kerr gets it though. Maybe I should have expected more from him than for him to go political on this as the whole world seemingly does. I’ll tell ya one thing though, Trump better extend them the invite to at least give them the opportunity. If not, he’s just perpetuating this whole divided country he claimed to fix. Also, if they do get invited I better hope to see at least one Warrior show up to have respect for our country. I don’t care if the President was fucking Mickey Mouse, Adam Sandler, or Rossie O’Donell (yikes). I’m going to the White House because it’s a privilege and an amazing experience that few have the chance at.
