NBA: Trump is booed by fans before Game 3 of the final; look

President of the United States, Donald Trump was heavily booed, on Monday night (8), when he was present at Madison Square Garden to watch Game 3 of the NBA final between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs.

The boos, which already appeared when Trump's entourage arrived at the gym, drew particular attention during the playing of the National Anthem, after the screen displayed the image of the Republican. See below:

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The volume of boos for the president even surpassed the demonstration of protest when San Antonio Spurs players entered the court in New York. After the anthem was played, the crowd chanted "Go Knicks!" again.

Trump's departure caused disruption to fans
Irritated fans had already booed Trump as they faced lines that stretched two blocks outside Madison Square Garden. A strict security scheme, similar to that at airports, was set up for departure.

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With the visit, Trump became the first sitting American president to attend an NBA Finals game. The republican's presence led to a significant reinforcement of control measures and access to the arena.

With just an hour left before the start of Game 3 of the finals, more than half of the seats in the gym were still empty. The New York Knicks came into the game with a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series against the San Antonio Spurs.

The strong security apparatus slowed entry. Residents, tourists and fans had to cross a maze of black metal fences that restricted pedestrian circulation near the site.

Boos mark Trump's arrival at Madison Square Garden
The presence of security agents and blockades around the arena caused delays in access for fans, increasing the dissatisfaction of part of the public waiting to enter Madison Square Garden.

The atmosphere of irritation became even more evident when the presidential delegation arrived at the scene.

As soon as Trump's vehicles appeared near the arena, boos echoed among people waiting in line.

The demonstrations took place amid anticipation for one of the most important games in recent history for the Knicks, who were playing their first NBA Finals series with a 2-0 lead and in front of their home fans.

Even with the festive atmosphere experienced by the New York team, the president's presence ended up becoming one of the central topics of the night, both inside and outside Madison Square Garden.

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Operation began more than four hours before the game
On Monday, the New York police reported that only people with an "authorized reason" could access the protected area around the arena.

The restriction covered the region between West 35th and 30th streets and between Sixth and Eighth avenues, starting four and a half hours before the game, scheduled for 9:30 pm (Brasília time).

Anyone who wanted to enter the security perimeter needed to undergo inspections and use only a few specific access points. The strict control changed the routine of the busy central Manhattan area.

Although some fans approved of the president's visit, many complained about the inconvenience caused by the scheme. The long lines and changes in access to the arena generated criticism among those present.

Fans criticize impact of presidential visit
"I wish he wasn't here. He's not a real fan and he's just making everything worse," said Errol Ismail, a Brooklyn resident and owner of a fitness company, after trying different entrances to access the gym.

"We've been waiting our whole lives for this, and he turned it into something about himself, like he does with anything else," the fan added, showing frustration with the situation.

The Secret Service recommended that spectators arrive at the venue at least two hours in advance.

Madison Square Garden, known as "the most famous arena in the world", sits above Penn Station, the largest transportation hub in the United States.

The traditional party for fans held outside the arena during playoff games was canceled due to security concerns, New York police reported on Sunday.

Trump's relationship with New York returns to the spotlight
Trump, who spent Monday afternoon at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, was expected as a guest of James Dolan, owner of the Knicks. His relationship with New York, however, remains complex.

Last year, during the US Open men's tennis final, held in Flushing, Queens, the president received both applause and boos. At the time, many spectators missed the start of the match due to security controls.

The mayor of New York, Zohran Mamdani, was also expected at the event. He told journalists that he bought a ticket directly from Madison Square Garden for almost US$1,000, equivalent to around R$5,180 at the current price.

Despite frequently exchanging criticisms about public policies, Mamdani and Trump have held meetings considered surprisingly friendly, according to reports cited before the match.

NBA: Knicks try to break 53-year drought in finals against Spurs

Source: CNN