U.S. President Donald Trump attended Game 3 of the National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals in person, prompting extensive security controls in the heart of Manhattan, New York. With fan events around the arena canceled and access restricted, some said fans are experiencing inconvenience.
On the 8th (local time), according to major foreign media including the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), President Trump attended Game 3 of the NBA Finals held that day at Madison Square Garden (MSG) in New York. It is the first time in 27 years since 1999 that the New York Knicks are playing an NBA Finals game at home.
The New York Times (NYT) called it "a kind of homecoming" for President Trump, a New York native. In particular, visiting New York, a Democratic stronghold, appears to offer a stage to showcase his political influence. President Trump accepted an invitation from Knicks owner James Dolan, chair of the U.S. sports and entertainment corporations MSG (Madison Square Garden) Group, to attend the game.
Political historian Matthew Dallek told USA Today, "For the Knicks to reach the Finals for the first time in decades is a two-for-one opportunity for him (Trump)," adding, "He can generate controversy, draw all eyes to himself, and even if he is booed or mocked (by Democratic supporters), he can share in the Knicks' glory."
Timed to the president's visit, the New York Police Department (NYPD) and the U.S. Secret Service deployed large security contingents in and around the arena. The restricted zone was expanded from 30th Street to 35th Street and from Sixth Avenue to Eighth Avenue in Manhattan, and included Pennsylvania Station (Penn Station), a major New York transit hub.
But there was criticism that the heavy police presence is causing inconvenience for fans. Authorities banned a large outdoor screen event that had been planned outside the arena. As a result, fans who hoped to watch the game together near the venue headed to cheering events at other locations such as Bryant Park and Central Park.
After 4 p.m., only those with legitimate reasons—such as ticket holders, Penn Station users, and nearby office workers—were allowed to enter the restricted zone. Knicks fan Elijah Wong told the WSJ, "I originally wanted to cheer outside the arena, but with tighter controls due to President Trump's visit, I chose another location."
Nearby small-business owners also faced heavier operating burdens. A representative of Bourbon & Branch, a sports bar one block from the arena, said reservations had been fully booked for a week already but added, "Because of the security measures, we don't know whether there will be more or fewer customers than usual, but either way the operating burden will be high."
Since returning to office, President Trump has appeared at major sporting events in quick succession. Last year, he watched the U.S. Open men's singles final. At the time, enhanced security delayed spectator entry, pushing the start of the match back by about 30 minutes.
President Trump has also attended the Super Bowl, the college football national championship, the Ryder Cup, and the Army–Navy game, and he continues to attend UFC events. Recently, he has been pursuing a plan to host a UFC event at the White House to mark the 250th anniversary of America's founding.
Meanwhile, the Knicks are chasing their first NBA title since 1973. They have won two straight in this Finals against the San Antonio Spurs. The last time the Knicks reached the Finals was in 1999, when they lost to the Spurs and finished as runners-up.