Michael Jordan thinks the Warriors shouldn't be 'demonized or ostracized'

Even Michael Jordan is stepping into the political fray.

The basketball great and Hornets owner released a statement over the weekend in response to the Golden State Warriors' decision to not visit the White House and Trump's rescinded invitation to the NBA champions.

Jordan said in a statement in the Charlotte Observer, "Those who exercise the right to peacefully express themselves should not be demonized or ostracized."

His full statement reads:

One of the fundamental rights this country is founded on was freedom of speech, and we have a long tradition of nonviolent, peaceful protest. Those who exercise the right to peacefully express themselves should not be demonized or ostracized. At a time of increasing divisiveness and hate in this country, we should be looking for ways to work together and support each other and not create more division. I support Commissioner Adam Silver, the NBA, its players and all those who wish to exercise their right to free speech.

Silver had commended the Warriors for "taking an active role" and "continuing to speak out on critically important issues."

Warriors player Steph Curry had initially said, "I don't want to go" at a news conference Friday, but made clear that the team hadn't made a decision yet on a White House visit. From there it spiraled into Saturday morning tweets from the president.

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That prompted official statements from the Warriors and NBA on the un-invitation later that day.

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Jordan's statement comes after Trump's inflammatory comments about former San Francisco 49er Colin Kaepernick's ongoing national anthem protest. Trump also targeted other NFL players and owners for allowing players to take a knee or skip the anthem. He said, "Get that son of a bitch off the field right now, out, he's fired." That language at an Alabama rally Friday seemed focused on Kaepernick, who Trump also said "disrespects our flag."

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This statement's seen as a big move from Jordan, who has tried to distance himself from political issues in the past. Last year he broke his "silence" and spoke out about police violence.