Donald Trump and his planned appearance at Game 3 of the NBA Finals has already become one of the biggest talking points of the series, and not everyone is happy about it.
With the New York Knicks preparing to host their first NBA Finals game at Madison Square Garden this century, fans were informed that enhanced security measures will be in place due Trump attending the game.
The Knicks announced that fans should arrive at least two hours before tip-off, while a strict no-bag policy and TSA-style security screenings will also be enforced.
In addition, the popular outdoor watch parties outside Madison Square Garden have been canceled for Game 3 at the request of the Secret Service.
Those changes didn’t sit well with former NBA player Etan Thomas.
“This is just selfish. Read the room, Donald. If he messes up their momentum….if he thought New Yorkers hated him before,” Thomas wrote on X. “I hope Knicks fans boo him with the roar of 1,000 lions and the volume of 1,000 trumpets. I hope y’all boo him so loud they hear it in Jersey.”
The Knicks confirmed the temporary cancellation of the outdoor viewing areas in a statement.
“There will be no watch parties outside of Madison Square Garden for Game 3 only,” the statement said. “This was done fully in coordination with the Secret Service because of the presidential visit. We expect watch parties at Madison Square Garden to resume for Game 4.”
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith had already expressed concerns before the official security details were released, arguing that the President’s attendance would create an unprecedented environment around the arena.
“He’s coming to Game 3 of the Finals, and I don’t want him there. He’s coming to Game 4 of the NBA Finals, and I don’t want him there. It has nothing to do with politics, policy, or anything like that,” Smith said. “It has everything to do with him disrupting and contributing at the same time to the chaos that’s going to exist at Madison Square Garden. If it were Barack Obama coming to the Garden, I would say, ‘Stay home.’ Stay at the White House.”
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