Commissioner Adam Silver didn’t hesitate when asked whether President Donald Trump is welcome at Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
“Of course,” Silver said.
Trump, who told reporters he plans to attend Game 3 and potentially Game 4 at Madison Square Garden, will become the first sitting president to attend an NBA Finals game. The last sitting president to attend any NBA game was Barack Obama in 2015.
Silver, a New York City resident himself, vouched for Trump’s Knicks credentials.
“Before he ever ran for office, he was a big Knicks fan,” Silver said. “I’ve been with the league for a long time. I was there at many Knicks games with him in the old days. He attended many of our drafts when they used to take place at Madison Square Garden, and he actually appeared in one of our ‘I love this Game’ spots when I was running NBA Entertainment years ago.”
That last part is worth revisiting. Back in 2004, Trump filmed a cameo for an NBA “I Love This Game” spot on the baseline at MSG. At the time he was a reality TV star, not a politician. Standing on that baseline, he delivered a line tailor-made for the moment.
“I love this game,” Trump said. “And if you don’t, you’re fired.”
Silver went on to frame the visit as bigger than politics.
“We can emphasize what we have in common, not what pulls us apart,” he said. “I think President Trump is very much a New Yorker, and I’m thrilled that yet another New Yorker wants to participate in the enthusiasm and the joy around this Knick team.”
The commissioner acknowledged extra security will create logistical headaches for fans, but wasn’t worried about the reception.
“I think they recognize that it adds to the bigness of the event,” Silver said.
The Knicks hold a 2-0 series lead over the Spurs after winning both games in San Antonio. Game 3 tips off at 8:30 p.m. Monday on ABC.
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