NBA star LeBron James: Donald Trump is a "bum"

After Trump rescinded an NBA team's White House invite, and condemned anthem protests, politics and sports collided

By Charlie May

Published September 23, 2017 3:19PM (EDT)

(AP/Evan Vucci)
(AP/Evan Vucci)

After President Donald Trump called for NFL team owners to fire "son-of-a-bitch" athletes who have peacefully protested police brutality by refusing to stand for the national anthem, he targeted professional NBA player, Stephen Curry, and rescinded his championship team's invitation to the White House.

Curry said on Friday that he personally didn't want to go to the White House, but his team would vote on a final decision. Warriors coach, Steve Kerr, and Curry's teammate, Kevin Durant, also expressed that they were hesitant to take the trip.

"I don’t want to go," Curry said, according to USA Today. "That’s kind of the nucleus of my belief…(But) it’s not just me going to the White House. If it was, this would be a pretty short conversation."

When Curry was pressed on why he wouldn't visit and what his message was by not attending, he explained, "that we don’t stand for basically what our President has – the things that he’s said and the things that he hasn’t said in the right times, 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," Curry added. "It’s not just the act of not going there. There are things you have to do on the back end to actually push that message into motion."

NBA star and competitive rival, LeBron James, quickly defended Steph Curry on Twitter, and called Trump a "bum."

"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!"

 

Many other professional athletes weighed in and bashed the president for his comments.

NBA legend Kobe Bryant tweeted, "A #POTUS whose name alone creates division and anger. Whose words inspire dissension and hatred can't possibly "Make America Great Again"

 

Detroit Lions tight end, Eric Ebron, pointed out that no one ever tells Trump to stick to politics, despite athletes constantly being told to keep quiet about their political opinions. "Does anyone tell trump to stick to politics, like they tell us to stick to sports? Smh."  

"It's like that little rich spoiled kid saying you can't play with his toys because you beat him at kick ball on the playground! #Dotard" the former NFL running back Reggie Bush tweeted.

 

 NBA star Chris Paul also defended Curry, and tweeted, "With everything that's going on in our country, why are YOU focused on who's kneeling and visiting the White House??? #StayInYoLane"  

In a second tweet, Paul added, "And I doubt he's man enough to call any of those players a son of a bitch to their face..."

 

 But the president wouldn't quit, and he doubled down on Saturday afternoon in two more tweets that condemned those who protests the national anthem, and once again demanded they be fired.

 "If a player wants the privilege of making millions of dollars in the NFL,or other leagues, he or she should not be allowed to disrespect...." he wrote.

"...our Great American Flag (or Country) and should stand for the National Anthem. If not, YOU'RE FIRED. Find something else to do!" Trump's second tweet said.   

 


By Charlie May

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