Everyone knows Barack Obama is a big basketball fan (somehow, there’s even a whole book about it), so you can imagine he’s had Feb. 4, 2016 circled on his calendar for a while.
With the Golden State Warriors in town, having beaten the Wizards on Wednesday, Obama welcomed the defending NBA champions at the White House.
President Obama honors the 2015 NBA champion @warriors at The @WhiteHouse! pic.twitter.com/ZTM12Muj4e
— NBA (@NBA) February 4, 2016
The president began the visit with some jokes, noting famous three-year-old Riley Curry’s absence and ribbing the Warriors for not living up to Obama’s hometown Bulls.
President Obama's opening statement: "I was hoping that Riley Curry would be here today to share the podium with me."
— Jeff Zillgitt (@JeffZillgitt) February 4, 2016
President Obama said of Riley Curry's absence: "I guess I’ll have to get media training some other day.”
— Jeff Zillgitt (@JeffZillgitt) February 4, 2016
President Obama welcomed a player from the greatest team in NBA history. Then said it was great to have ex-Bulls G Steve Kerr there.
— Jeff Zillgitt (@JeffZillgitt) February 4, 2016
The president also showed off his knowledge of NBA minutiae…
President Obama called Warriors small-ball lineup "a nuclear lineup. It's almost unfair. … It's beautiful to watch."
— Jeff Zillgitt (@JeffZillgitt) February 4, 2016
…and took a thinly veiled shot at defending MVP Steph Curry.
President Obama on Klay Thompson "whose jump shot is actually a little prettier. I'm just saying."
— Jeff Zillgitt (@JeffZillgitt) February 4, 2016
Prez Obama. Chef Curry. Clowning https://t.co/bkSdHRaiDT (via @imbeccable)
— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) February 4, 2016
It appears everyone had a good time, mostly by taking photos with Abraham Lincoln.
The Curry’s in The State Dining Room at The @whitehouse! A photo posted by NBA (@nba) on
"Give it up for the @NBA Champion Golden State @Warriors!" —@POTUS: https://t.co/S3Wjsk6KnA #DubNation pic.twitter.com/aHru5w5wzi
— White House Archived (@ObamaWhiteHouse) February 4, 2016
President Obama was very funny, making jokes about @StephenCurry30 and his Warriors teammates! @POTUS
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) February 4, 2016
Obama and Curry were friendly before Thursday, having played golf together over the summer. That could be why they took this impossibly beautiful picture in the Oval Office.
Stephen Curry on having relationship with President Obama: "It still doesn't make any sense" https://t.co/JGGqVV7fYk pic.twitter.com/z80nI2qcO8
— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) February 4, 2016
President Obama also praised assistant coach Luke Walton, who led the Warriors to a 39-4 start while Kerr was still recovering from back surgery. Walton won’t be credited for those wins when the NBA selects its coach for the Western Conference All-Star team, a slight Obama could apparently relate to.
“Man, that doesn’t seem fair,” Obama told Walton, as transcribed by the Washington Post. “You defied the cynics, accomplished big things, racked up a great record and you don’t get enough credit.” He paused before adding, “I can’t imagine how that feels.”
