Trump says NBA champs won't get invite

The winner of the NBA finals won't be invited to the White House by US President Donald Trump.

US President Donald Trump has hit back at the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors, saying whichever team wins the NBA's finals series won't be getting a White House invite.

"I didn't invite LeBron James, and I didn't invite Steph Curry. We're not going to invite either team," Trump said.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver expressed disappointment at the president's comments.

"It's a bit of resignation that this is where we find ourselves," he told ESPN.

"Championship teams, not just in our sport, but in other sports aren't getting to celebrate in that way, something that has historically been apolitical in Washington, but I have to put it in the greater context of where we find our country.

"I would say though ultimately it saddens me because historically we've been able to use the NBA and all of sports to bring people together."

Earlier this week, members of both NBA teams - and especially James - ripped Trump over his decision to disinvite the NFL's Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles from the White House.

"It's typical of him," James said of Trump. "I'm not surprised. ... I know no matter who wins this series no one wants the invite, anyways. It won't be Golden State or Cleveland going."

But Trump said on Friday that the Washington Capitals, who clinched the NHL's Stanley Cup on Thursday night, are likely to be invited.

"I think we'll have the Caps. We'll see. You know, my attitude is if they want to be here, the greatest place on Earth, I'm here. If they don't want to be here, I don't want them," Trump said.


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Source: AAP



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