Warriors Not Going to the White House

Rumors started swirling about the Golden State Warriors deciding not to attend a White House congratulations ceremony within five minutes after they won the title. A relatively slow mobilization time for the Trump hysterical media. It was late. Stephen Curry and others are now insisting nothing’s been decided yet, but that it will be decided as a team. So, more definitively, they’re not going.

The custom of major sports champions visiting the White House started in an era before Twitter and insanely wealthy athletes. It was probably a memorable thrill for the players at some level. Or they simply respected the tradition. Or they were made to go by owners. Quiet respect is bygone era nonsense.

Even before Trump is Satan came to be a popularly practiced religion, athletes began boycotting Bush and Obama photo ops and cringing speeches involving sports metaphors. The escalation is ten fold under Trump. Assume most of the players are apolitical creatures, since even the few of them who get involved in political messaging, rarely turn out to even bother voting. But who needs a Twitter hate storm and Uncle Tom memes on your back for attending. NBA All-Stars are filthy rich. They golf with A-list celebrities, not to mention the last President. A White House visit is pretty meh. They live in bigger homes.

Olympic athletes still have to go because tax dollars are subsidizing two-man sculling and air pistols. There’s no good reason for pro sports teams to do the song and dance with the President. The Democrats draw a ton more big name celebrities and athletes to their marketing fold. They also lost. There’s nothing to be gained by sucking up to famous entertainers. There’s a natural life cycle and death to all traditions. Like white people playing basketball. Time marches on. 

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