Some Trumpsupporters are pissed the President got so little airtime at the NBA Finals compared to stars at MSG -- and it turns out that wasn't an accident.
ESPN sources tell TMZ ... Trump got due attention for this historical moment ... but he was also in a bulletproof box -- which ain't as easy to film as all the stars sitting courtside.
And we're told even if some of those stars have been critical of Trump -- they are also die-hard fans and fixtures at big games, so they're getting more exposure. Bottom line -- it wasn't political!
Avery Wilson has no issue with President Trump being mercilessly booed at the NBA Finals while he sang the national anthem -- but his feelings have nothing to do with politics!
Avery tells TMZ ... it was an instant pop culture moment ... and that's all he really cares about -- because his fantastic rendition of the anthem is all over social media today.
As you know ... a chorus of MSG boos rained down for DT during game 3 while the Broadway star performed ... Trump told reporters afterward he heard plenty of cheers, too.
The Knicks' 13-game playoff win streak was snapped Monday night, and many fans are blaming President Trump ... but is that fair?? Charles Barkley says hell no!
"No, s*** no. That had nothing to do with it. I thought the Spurs outplayed them," the Hall of Famer told Adam Glyn in New York City, shortly after Game 3 ended.
Of course, Trump became the first sitting president to attend an NBA Finals game, pulling up to the Garden for the highly anticipated game, watching with his friend, Knicks owner James Dolan, as the team lost 115-111, with the Spurs pulling within one game of New York.
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POTUS's presence meant hella increased security around the World's Most Famous Arena. Fans were told to arrive hours before the game, and were subjected to airport-like security. Barriers were also installed around MSG to keep fans away from the building perimeter, and watch parties were banned.
10:04 AM PT --Davis Ingle, a White House spokesperson, tells TMZ ... “President Trump made history as the first sitting President to attend an NBA Finals game. The President watched every moment of a highly competitive, entertaining contest from James Dolan’s suite, joined by talented members of his Cabinet. Anyone ridiculously claiming the President was asleep is either lying or has severe brain damage.”
Donald Trumpcame to the NBA Finals hoping to watch the Knicks take a commanding 3-0 series lead ... but by the end of the night, he seemed to be ready for a nap instead.
The president's visit to Madison Square Garden on Monday was a spectacle from the jump. When Trump appeared on the arena's video boards before Game 3, a loud chorus of boos rained down from the crowd -- instantly turning the commander-in-chief into one of the night's biggest storylines.
Social media later erupted after cameras appeared to catch Trump with his eyes closed in his luxury suite, seated beside Knicks owner James Dolanand granddaughter KaiTrump... prompting plenty of jokes about the 79-year-old nodding off while the Knicks were fighting to stay perfect in the series.
9:27 AM PT --Stephen A. Smith clapped back at President Trump for seemingly falling asleep during game 3 of the NBA Finals -- saying, "Didn't you call out former President Joe Biden, 'Sleepy Joe'? Well, what should we call you?”
President Trump is pouring cold water on Stephen A. Smith's possible aspirations to ascend to the White House, saying he doesn't have the "IQ" or the "aptitude" to become commander-in-chief.
Trump's vicious remarks came during a press gaggle late Monday night in NYC, before he boarded Air Force One to fly back to D.C. after watching Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs.
Stephen A. Smith: If Trump coming causes the Knicks to lose tonight, I'm blaming him. I'm blaming the President of the United States. I'm telling you that right now. We better not lose tonight's game. pic.twitter.com/iwgdCsjn4i@HQNewsNow
Check out the clip ... a reporter first tells Trump that Smith -- a famous sports commentator -- has been talking about running for president and that he would blame Trump if the Knicks lost to the Spurs (the Spurs ended up beating the Knicks 115-111.)
Cardi B says President Trump screwed the New York Knicks' mojo by showing up to Game 3 of the NBA Finals ... killing the overall vibe of Madison Square Garden.
The "WAP" superstar was in the building as the halftime entertainment ... and she says she felt like Trump brought a "dark" energy to MSG.
Cardi chowed down on a SpongeBob SquarePants popsicle as she shared her experience ... comparing Trump's appearance to a principal being at a party, with everyone feeling like they had to be on their best behavior.
Charles Barkley wasn't exactly breaking down pick-and-roll coverage during Game 3 of the NBA Finals ... because once Cardi B hit the floor for halftime, Chuck's scouting report took a very different turn ... and it was sexual.
Check out the clip ... while Cardi brought the house down at Madison Square Garden, Chuck and the "Inside the NBA" crew seemed just as entertained as the fans in the arena. And let's just say Chuck had a particular observation about Cardi's boobs that immediately sent the desk into hysterics.
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As cameras showed Cardi performing, Ernie Johnsonjoked the crew had been "competing with Cardi B" for viewers' attention. Chuck quickly waved the white flag ... cracking that Cardi's famous nickname might need a slight alphabet upgrade.
Chuck joked ... "I don't know if those B's. They might be Cardi D's. I'm pretty sure those aren't B's. She has the wrong initials."
Donald Trump's arrival at Madison Square Garden was almost as anticipated as tipoff itself ... with POTUS instantly becoming part of the show when he stepped into the building for Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
Watch for yourself ... the MSG faithful made their feelings known ... turning Trump's appearance during the National Anthem into one of the loudest moments of the night so far.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez thinks President Donald Trump'sreception at the NBA Finals could come down to one thing ... the price of admission.
Jacobcaught up with the Congresswoman from New York on Capitol Hill Monday, where she kicked things off by joining in on a viral Knicks rallying cry that's been making the rounds online -- "My mayor is Muslim, my bagel is Jewish, my Christian's Dior ... Knicks in 4!"
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Check out the clip ... after sharing a laugh over the chant, AOC was asked what kind of welcome Trump can expect when he shows up at Madison Square Garden for Game 3.
The NY Knicks are two games from their first NBA title in 53 years, but President Trump's presence at Madison Square Garden has dominated much of the conversation... begging the question, will it distract the hometown team?!
No, not at all ... according to former NBA star Zach Randolph, who TMZ Sports ran into at LAX on Monday.
"At this stage where these guys are playing for a championship, I don't think that's going to distract [the Knicks] because it's more important things than, you know, getting distracted by the president," the 2x NBA All-Star said.
Cardi B is making the first NBA Finals game in New York City in 27 years even more epic ... TMZ has confirmed she's performing at Game 3.
A source tells us the "WAP" singer will be the star of the halftime show Monday night when the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs head to the locker room.
Cardi will be among a huge list of celebs in the house at Madison Square Garden for the first NBA Finals matchup at MSG since the Knicks and the Spurs back in 1999.
PresidentDonald Trump's trip to the NBA Finals is getting boxed out by Rep. Hakeem Jeffries... who says POTUS has a knack for making every big event about himself.
The House Democratic Leader weighed in when Jacob caught up with him on Capitol Hill Monday. Watch the clip ... Jeffries questions Trump's sudden Knicks fandom and explains why he's not exactly thrilled about the prez showing up to Madison Square Garden for Game 3.
Jeffries told us New Yorkers have waited decades to see the Knicks back in the NBA Finals ... and suggested the spotlight should stay on the team instead of the controversy surrounding Trump's visit.
Spike Lee had the legendary West 4th Street courts lookin' like a Knicks block party on Monday ... just hours before tip-off of the most anticipated basketball game in NYC in decades!
The Academy Award winner and NYK superfan pulled up to The Cage in a royal blue and orange wrapped bus, the Fanatics Fan Wagon, around noon -- as scores of fans surrounded the bus to chop it up with Spike, before he heads to the Garden for tonight's game.
Lee and Fanatics hooked fans up with autographed memorabilia, including a signed Karl-Anthony Towns jersey.
President Trump loves a good wall ... so it's only fitting Madison Square Garden set one up outside the venue ahead of POTUS' attendance at Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
The safety barricade was put in place by Monday morning ... one of the many safety measures implemented in preparation for Nos. 45 and 47's appearance at the World's Most Famous Arena for the Knicks vs. Spurs matchup.
The vibes will be quite different from the usual ... as rowdy watch parties will not take place outside the building, which has upset Knicks supporters. There will be an event at Bryant Park for backers to congregate at instead ... a 15-minute walk away from MSG.
Stephen A. Smith is calling foul on President Donald Trump's plans to Game 3 of the NBA Finals tonight at Madison Square Garden ... blasting the visit as a massive headache for New Yorkers and saying POTUS has "no business" showing up.
Roll the tape ... the ESPN personality unloaded during Monday's episode of "First Take." SAS didn't dive into politics or policy, but he made it clear he's not thrilled about POTUS bringing the Secret Service circus to one of the biggest basketball nights of the year.
Smith argued MSG isn't some sprawling football stadium with acres of parking and room to spare ... it's smack in the middle of one of the busiest parts of NYC, where traffic is already a nightmare before adding a presidential motorcade and security detail to the mix.
Charles Oakley and James Dolanaren't the only feud in Knicks nation -- the beloved hooper is also beefing with his former teammate, legend Patrick Ewing -- and Oak tells us there's no hope for salvaging the relationship.
"For Patrick not to be man enough to come and talk to me after having his back for 10 years, he's a coward," Oakley told Babcock of his longtime teammate and friend.
We followed up, asking if the relationship could be repaired.
