Donald Trump is the first President of the United States to witness a game at the NBA finals in a game between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs. He was accompanied by Knicks owner James Dolan at Madison Square Garden.
At the beginning of the national anthem, President Donald Trump stood in the suite and gave the military salute when he came into view on the giant screen. The spectators booed him while others chanted “USA.”
Trump's fandom of the NBA and James Dolan
Earlier last week, US President Donald Trump announced that he will show up for Game 3 of the NBA finals match at Madison Square Garden following an invitation from Dolan, who has been the owner of the Knicks team for ages.
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A die-hard follower of the Knicks basketball team for years, President Donald Trump said he is “a big fan of this great team, as well as Mr Dolan.” Trump said that he will be at Madison Square Garden for at least Game 3 and maybe for Game 4 as well.
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Adam Silver, the NBA commissioner, expressed his happiness on hearing this news. He reminded everyone of how President Trump is an ardent Knicks follower for decades. “Don’t forget, Donald Trump was a big Knicks fan long before he entered politics. We saw him at many games when we were in the old days.”
The security at MSG ahead of Trump's arrival
Trump’s visit set strong security at Madison Square Garden ahead of the NBA Game 3 finals. The fans were told to come at least two hours early for TSA-like screenings under a no-bag policy. The NYPD and Secret Service surrounded the venue with a secure perimeter, and an outdoor watch party was called off.
Soaring ticket price outbreaks debate
Resale tickets for Game 3 skyrocketed, ranging from around $10,000 to over $100,000, sparking frustration among many fans. When asked about the high prices, Trump shrugged it off, saying, “That’s the way life goes. It’s sort of semi-free to watch it on television.”
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With the mixed reactions from fans, Trump enjoyed the final match, being a fan of the sport. Though the New York Knicks suffered a loss against the San Antonio Spurs, scoring 115 points, four points more than the losing team.
