Rumors

To be clear, the Eagles have not publicly stated whether they will or won’t go to the White House to celebrate their Super Bowl LIX win over the Kansas City Chiefs. But according to Barkley, they should go. “I don’t care who the president is,” Barkley said on the latest episode of The Steam Room podcast with co-host Ernie Johnson. “He’s the President of the United States. It’s bothered me, the last 10 years, they’re like, ‘Well, I’m not going because this certain person is president.’ Dude, it’s the President of the United States. “Even though I disagree with President Trump on some things, if I met him, I would still give him the respect and dignity he deserves. We can disagree, but it bothers me when these teams don’t want to go to the White House. I’m just disappointed…we got so divided. Where did we get to as a country when we’re like, ‘We’re not going to the White House, we don’t like who’s in there.’ That’s just stupid.”

Awful Announcing

Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Lionel Messi will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom during a ceremony on Saturday at the White House. President Joe Biden will bestow the honor to 19 of the most famous names in politics, sports, entertainment, civil rights, LGBTQ+ advocacy and science.

ESPN

Bobby Manning: Jaylen Brown’s overarching message on the White House was that it was a chance to celebrate with teammates. He would’ve went anywhere, even “Waffle House,” to do it. He wasn’t involved in the policy discussions, but was glad C’s continued to push for Raise the Age. pic.x.com/FmXG3cV51W

Twitter

Bobby Manning: Jayson Tatum on the White House visit. He wasn’t involved in the policy discussions: “I was just walking around taking pictures.” pic.x.com/RIiyNAl2jB

Twitter

Taylor Snow: Oshae Brissett rejoining the Celtics today for their White House visit. Love that he made the trip.

x.com

Boston Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck, whose family is in the middle of selling its controlling stake in the franchise, said Thursday that not only does he continue to plan to run the team for the next three years, but he believes they could repeat as champions this season. "It's underway. There's a lot of interest," Grousbeck said of the sale on a conference call with reporters after a ceremony with President Joe Biden on the White House's South Lawn to celebrate the team's record-setting 18th NBA championship.

ESPN

The celebration outside the White House featured hundreds of celebrants with ties to Massachusetts, including Gov. Maura Healey and Senator Ed Markey. "This was a very exciting and moving day," Grousbeck said. "We had not been focused on [coming here]. We got through raising the banner, and opening night, and then it was all business, led by [Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla]. Joe doesn't really want us to dwell too much on the past. He wants us to move forward. But, having said that, everybody here -- including Joe -- really seemed to have a great time."

ESPN

The Boston Celtics traveled to the White House on Thursday to meet with President Joe Biden and celebrate the team’s 18th NBA championship. The 2023-24 Celtics roster, coaching staff, and ownership group were on hand at the South Lawn for Thursday’s event. Even Oshae Brissett, who is no longer on Boston’s roster, was on hand for the event and received his championship ring.

Boston Globe

The Boston Celtics will visit the White House on Thursday to celebrate winning their 18th NBA championship in June. “​​I think it’ll be cool,” star forward Jayson Tatum said. “One of the perks of being a champion is going to the White House. You see most of the former teams attend, so we’ll have that moment and take pictures and videos. It’s something that’ll last a lifetime.”

New York Times

The Boston Celtics are expected to travel to the White House to celebrate the 2024 NBA championship on Thursday afternoon. That’s according to the Office of Massachusetts Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg, who is scheduled to attend the event. Goldberg’s public schedule lists her attending the Celtics’ championship celebration at the White House at 4:30pm ET on Thursday.

Celtics Blog

Fill in the gravesite and call off the funeral ... Adam Silver says despite all the perception of doom and gloom surrounding the NBA's current negotiations with TNT -- the talks between the sides are NOT dead yet. The Association's commissioner made it clear while outside of Thursday's White House state dinner in D.C. that he and his org. are still very much open to getting a new deal done with TNT -- this despite reports the parties are far off. Silver didn't elaborate on where exactly each side is ... but he said, "We're all still talking." "Who knows how it's going to work out?" he added.

TMZ.com

Will Manso: The Heat’s Jaime Jaquez Jr speaking today at a Cinco De Mayo celebration at the White House. (🎥 @potus )

Twitter

Ryan Blackburn: Michael Malone disputed the report that the Nuggets cancelled their White House trip because they are trying to get the 1 seed. Malone emphasized that being healthy was the biggest priority, especially when it comes to Jamal Murray and his ongoing bumps and bruises.

Twitter

Chris Haynes: Sources: With Denver Nuggets prioritizing No. 1 seed and a pivotal matchup at Minnesota upcoming, I explain on @NBAonTNT why the champs have elected not to visit The White House.

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