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A Mexican journalist asked Gregg Popovich if there was anything the league could do to help soothe relations between the countries after Trump takes office next week. Here was Popovich’s response: “Considering our political situation right now, I’m not sure the NBA can say or do much to decide what’s going to happen between Mexico and the United States. The NBA has always stood for equality and justice, whether that’s a racial situation or LGBT concerns. The league has always been at the forefront of that. All of us feel free and obligated to give our opinions when asked and when appropriate. A lot of us have done that already this year, about our election and that sort of thing. We’ll speak our mind, when asked, and when it’s an appropriate setting. I’m not sure the NBA will get involved in the relations between Mexico and the United States. I don’t think Mr. Trump is going to ask.”
SN: Do you regret anything you said in Phoenix? Stan Van Gundy: I meant what I said about how electing Donald Trump will set our country back. I stand by that. However, I do wish I wouldn’t have made the blanket statement about not respecting anybody who voted for Trump. I spoke from a place of comfort. I make an excellent salary and work a great job. A lot of the people who voted for Trump don’t. Let’s say you say you’re out of a job and believe this guy is going to get you on back on your feet. You might overlook some stuff not because you believe it. But you’re that desperate. They’re wrong. But it’s what they believe. It’s easy for me to say, "How can they vote for a monster?" But when people fear they make awful choices. Even if that means looking over a racist and sexist man. I should not have said I don’t respect them. What I don’t respect is all the things that were said.
Q: People started boycotting New Balance after the company seemed to voice support for Trump. Kanye West recently said he would’ve voted for Trump if he had voted. Would you still wear Yeezys? Iman Shumpert: I understand people’s stance on Trump. I can’t get caught up in the racial, sexist bullshit he’s got going on. That’s his personal thing, ya dig? But I just don’t think he can make anything shake like that. He not finna start no civil war out here. I do think he’s crazy—straight up. I think he did that stuff to get people to think he’s willing to shake it up. But did I vote for him? No. The other stuff that comes with him, I can’t get with. But now that he’s here, I’m not finna drag my feet. I gotta work here, at least until the offseason, if I wanna go get a crib in the Islands.
When it came time to pull the metaphorical lever Nov. 8, some in Bexar County just didn’t feel like casting their vote for Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton, according to records obtained by mySA.com. Instead, they wrote-in Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich, Tim Duncan, Jesus and Mickey Mouse, among others, to be president. A few cast their vote for a Popovich-Duncan ticket, but despite their efforts, Trump and Mike Pence were elected president and vice president.
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LeBron James said he was "not trying to make a statement" in deciding not to stay at President-elect Donald Trump's SoHo hotel, the Cleveland Cavaliers' residence while they are in town. "It's just my personal preference," James said as he talked to reporters from a baseline seat at Madison Square Garden with Cleveland preparing to play the New York Knicks later Wednesday night. "At the end of the day, I hope he's one of the best presidents ever for all of our sake -- my family, for all of us. But it's just my personal preference. It would be the same if I went to a restaurant and decided to eat chicken and not steak."
James said it was the first time in his career that he chose to stay somewhere other than the primary team hotel on a road trip. A team source told ESPN.com that the alternative hotel -- which about half of the Cavs' roster was excused to stay at should they choose to -- was located close enough to the Trump SoHo that both factions of Cleveland's traveling party were able to meet and take the same bus over to the shootaround. "I rode the bus like I do every [shootaround], like what I've done for 14 straight years," James said. "With my teammates, coaching staff and everybody else that travels with us."
The Cavs entered into a contract with the Trump SoHo for their regular season trips prior to the presidential election because the hotel could guarantee the team a block of rooms in the spring should Cleveland end up playing either the Knicks or the Brooklyn Nets in the playoffs.
Count in another athlete who won't stay at a Trump hotel. Joakim Noah was unaware of LeBron James' protest of the brand during his stay in New York, but the Knicks center supported the decision and responded "Nah, probably not" when asked if he'd patronize hotels bearing the President-elect's name. "I think it's just a comfort level, you know. Stick to your principles. Whoever you are," Noah said. "Trump is our president. But that doesn't mean we have to stay at his hotel."
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In the nation’s capital for the first time since the Nov. 8 presidential election, Popovich was asked Saturday if had been surprised by the response to his comments critical of president-elect Donald Trump. The content of the letters and emails he has received has not been surprising, Popovich said. The quantity, however, was. “What surprised me the most was how far-reaching it was,” Popovich said. “I had no idea why people paid attention, but they did. I didn’t do it to get a response, but the response was humungous. I’m still digging through it.”
But that has never been the approach of the well-traveled Kerr, who was born in Beirut, lived in Egypt, and hasn't shied away from political commentary, especially not in the wake of President-elect Donald Trump's victory earlier this month. "People ask us, so why shouldn't I answer? I have this forum. If there's something important to speak on, then I think we should speak on it," Kerr told David Axelrod on "The Axe Files" podcast, produced by CNN and the University of Chicago Institute of Politics. "In this case, I felt it was important to address not the politics of the election, but the nature of the election cycle. It's the first time in my life that the election was not about policy, or even personality. It was about anger. It was about fear. And I was disgusted."
"If the president of the country can make remarks that are hateful and offensive, then it sort of rubber stamps it for a lot of people and that's scary," he said. "I'm not the authority on any of this, but what I do feel strongly about is a level of respect that has to exist between candidates but also between people," he added. "I'm a Democrat. I've got lots of friends who are Republicans. We have really great, healthy conversations. There's a respect level. That's how it should be. Again, people voting on policy? Absolutely. But the nature, the tenor of this election was ugly and nasty and it's scary in terms of what direction that is going to take."
How do you feel after the election? Jabari Parker: I’m worried about my safety and that of a lot of people. There are a lot of threats on athletes and regular citizens. We’ve already seen an increase in hate crimes and it’s barely been a week. His election made people feel like it’s cool to be openly and violently racist. I’ve gotten threats and so have others I know. I have to be more aware of my surroundings. I really feel bad for people who don’t have as many ways to protect themselves as I do.
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