The New York Knicks are expecting United States President Donald Trump to be in attendance for Monday night’s game 3 of the NBA Finals between the Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs in Madison Square Garden, and the team is warning fans about what it could mean for them.
Ahead of Trump’s appearance at the game, the Knicks are warning fans about the additional security measures that will be in place, as the arena has officially instituted a “no bag” policy and is advising fans to severely limit the number of items they bring into the arena.
‘No Bag Policy’
Ahead of Trump’s presence at the game, the Knicks issued a statement to fans warning of the heightened security and the presence of the United States Secret Service.
“As we move closer to Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Monday night, Madison Square Garden and the United States Secret Service want to help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all ticket holders by sharing important security procedures that will be in place,” the statement reads.
“A strict no-bag policy will be in effect, and fans should make every effort to limit personal items to an absolute minimum. Fans should expect enhanced security measures when entering Madison Square Garden, including TSA-style screening procedures.”
Additionally, the team is warning guests to arrive at least two hours before tip-off to allow additional time for screening and entry.
Stephen A. Smith Wants Trump to Stay Home
While the President is obviously excited to be attending the game as a longtime New Yorker, not everyone is excited about him being in attendance.
During his SiriusXM radio show Friday, Smith made it clear that he does not think that Trump should attend either of the games, though he insisted that the opinion had “nothing to do with politics.” Smith just thinks that Trump’s presence at the game would only make an already crazy atmosphere worse.
“It has everything to do with him disrupting and contributing at the same time to the chaos that’s going to be existing at Madison Square Garden,” Smith said. “If it were Barack Obama coming to the Garden, I would say, ‘Stay home. Stay at the White House.’
“I have been covering sports for over 30 years. And I’m telling you right now, come Monday, for Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden, I expect to see an environment I have never seen in my entire career covering sports. You don’t understand. You don’t understand.”
The Knicks currently hold a 2-0 lead over the Spurs in the NBA Finals as the series heads to New York. The team has now won 13 straight playoff games and needs just two more wins to claim its first championship in 53 years, which it could get in Madison Square Garden next week.
About Dave Kelsey
Contributing author to The Comeback.