NBA

Barack Obama: The NBA's president

This Sunday, May 4, 2008 file photo shows then Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., as he plays basketball at Riverview Elementary School in Elkhart, Ind.
This Sunday, May 4, 2008 file photo shows then Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., as he plays basketball at Riverview Elementary School in Elkhart, Ind.
Jae C. Hong, AP
President Barack Obama, right, a Chicago Bulls fan, reacts to a Bulls score while surrounded by Washington Wizards fans during the fourth quarter of their NBA basketball game on Friday, February 27, 2009 in Washington.
President Barack Obama, right, a Chicago Bulls fan, reacts to a Bulls score while surrounded by Washington Wizards fans during the fourth quarter of their NBA basketball game on Friday, February 27, 2009 in Washington.
Evan Vucci, AP
In this Friday, Feb. 27, 2009 file photo, President Barack Obama attends the Washington Wizards game against the Chicago Bulls at the Verizon Center.
In this Friday, Feb. 27, 2009 file photo, President Barack Obama attends the Washington Wizards game against the Chicago Bulls at the Verizon Center.
Gerald Herbert, AP
President Barack Obama shares a laugh with members of the Los Angeles Lakers in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan. 25, 2010.
President Barack Obama shares a laugh with members of the Los Angeles Lakers in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan. 25, 2010.
Alex Brandon, AP
President Barack Obama stands with Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan. 25, 2010.
President Barack Obama stands with Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan. 25, 2010.
Charles Dharapak, AP
President Barack Obama holds a signed basketball given him during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan. 25, 2010.
President Barack Obama holds a signed basketball given him during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan. 25, 2010.
Alex Brandon, AP
President Barack Obama and Kobe Bryant join children to pack gifts for troops and homeless people at a Boys and Girls Club in Washington on December 13, 2010.
President Barack Obama and Kobe Bryant join children to pack gifts for troops and homeless people at a Boys and Girls Club in Washington on December 13, 2010.
Jewel Samad, AFP/Getty Images
President Barack Obama poses for photographs with the Los Angeles Lakers, including guard Kobe Bryant, during an event to honor the NBA champions in Washington, Monday, Dec. 13, 2010, at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington.
President Barack Obama poses for photographs with the Los Angeles Lakers, including guard Kobe Bryant, during an event to honor the NBA champions in Washington, Monday, Dec. 13, 2010, at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington.
Evan Vucci, AP
President Barack Obama shoots a basketball while participating in a "Let's Move" clinic with members of the NBA, WNBA and the Harlem Globetrotters during the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn, April 25, 2011 in Washington, DC.
President Barack Obama shoots a basketball while participating in a "Let's Move" clinic with members of the NBA, WNBA and the Harlem Globetrotters during the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn, April 25, 2011 in Washington, DC.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images
President Barack Obama greets NBA legend Bill Russell after speaking during a Democratic National Committee event at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami, Florida, June 13, 2011.
President Barack Obama greets NBA legend Bill Russell after speaking during a Democratic National Committee event at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami, Florida, June 13, 2011.
Saul Loeb, AFP/Getty Images
President Barack Obama smiles as he is introduced by Hall of Famer Bill Russell during a Democratic fundraiser at the Paramount Theater, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, in Seattle.
President Barack Obama smiles as he is introduced by Hall of Famer Bill Russell during a Democratic fundraiser at the Paramount Theater, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, in Seattle.
Pablo Martinez Monsivais, AP
President Barack Obama greets guests in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, after a ceremony honoring the 2011 NBA champion Dallas Mavericks.
President Barack Obama greets guests in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, after a ceremony honoring the 2011 NBA champion Dallas Mavericks.
Haraz N. Ghanbari, AP
President Barack Obama is given a jersey from Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks during an event to honor the NBA champions in the East Room at the White House on January 9, 2012 in Washington, DC.
President Barack Obama is given a jersey from Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks during an event to honor the NBA champions in the East Room at the White House on January 9, 2012 in Washington, DC.
Mark Wilson, Getty Images
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama look up at themselves on the large in-house video screen for the "Kiss Cam"while watching the first half of Team USA and Brazil in an Olympic men's exhibition basketball game Monday, July 16, 2012, in Washington.
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama look up at themselves on the large in-house video screen for the "Kiss Cam"while watching the first half of Team USA and Brazil in an Olympic men's exhibition basketball game Monday, July 16, 2012, in Washington.
Alex Brandon, AP
President Barack Obama dances to the music with first lady Michelle Obama and daughter Malia Obama while attending Team USA and Brazil in an Olympic men's exhibition basketball game, Monday, July 16, 2012, in Washington.
President Barack Obama dances to the music with first lady Michelle Obama and daughter Malia Obama while attending Team USA and Brazil in an Olympic men's exhibition basketball game, Monday, July 16, 2012, in Washington.
Alex Brandon, AP
Dwyane Wade shaking hands with President Obama as the White House honors the NBA champion Miami Heat.
Dwyane Wade shaking hands with President Obama as the White House honors the NBA champion Miami Heat.
Jack Gruber, USAT
LeBron James expressing emotion about being at the White House while presenting a team signed basketball to President Barack Obama.
LeBron James expressing emotion about being at the White House while presenting a team signed basketball to President Barack Obama.
Jack Gruber, USAT
President Barack Obama shakes hands with former NBA player Alonzo Mourning at Grande Oaks golf club, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
President Barack Obama shakes hands with former NBA player Alonzo Mourning at Grande Oaks golf club, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
Pablo Martinez Monsivais, AP
Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers introduces President Barack Obama at the Walker Jones Education Campus on July 21, 2014 in Washington, DC.
Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers introduces President Barack Obama at the Walker Jones Education Campus on July 21, 2014 in Washington, DC.
Mark Wilson, Getty Images
Former NBA player Alonzo Mourning and President Barack Obama ride in a golf cart while golfing at Farm Neck Golf Club, in Oak Bluffs, Mass.
Former NBA player Alonzo Mourning and President Barack Obama ride in a golf cart while golfing at Farm Neck Golf Club, in Oak Bluffs, Mass.
Steven Senne, AP
President Barack Obama shakes hands with San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich during a ceremony honoring the NBA champion Spurs in the East Room at The White House.
President Barack Obama shakes hands with San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich during a ceremony honoring the NBA champion Spurs in the East Room at The White House.
Geoff Burke, USA TODAY Sports
President Barack Obama accepts a San Antonio Spurs jersey from team members Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker.
President Barack Obama accepts a San Antonio Spurs jersey from team members Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker.
Pablo Martinez Monsivais, AP
Ray Allen and President Barack Obama talk as they sit in a cart while golfing, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2015, at Farm Neck Golf Club, in Oak Bluffs, Mass., on the island of Martha's Vineyard.
Ray Allen and President Barack Obama talk as they sit in a cart while golfing, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2015, at Farm Neck Golf Club, in Oak Bluffs, Mass., on the island of Martha's Vineyard.
Steven Senne, AP
President Barack Obama speaks with Stephen Curry while golfing, Friday, Aug. 14, 2015, at Farm Neck Golf Club in Oak Bluffs, Mass.
President Barack Obama speaks with Stephen Curry while golfing, Friday, Aug. 14, 2015, at Farm Neck Golf Club in Oak Bluffs, Mass.
Steven Senne, AP
NBA basketball player Stephen Curry returns a club to the cart as President Barack Obama prepares to drive, Friday, Aug. 14, 2015, at Farm Neck Golf Club, in Oak Bluffs, Mass.
NBA basketball player Stephen Curry returns a club to the cart as President Barack Obama prepares to drive, Friday, Aug. 14, 2015, at Farm Neck Golf Club, in Oak Bluffs, Mass.
Steven Senne, AP
United States president Barack Obama during a game between the Chicago Bulls and the Cleveland Cavaliers at the United Center.
United States president Barack Obama during a game between the Chicago Bulls and the Cleveland Cavaliers at the United Center.
Dennis Wierzbicki, USA TODAY Sports
Stephen Curry laughs with teammates as President Barack Obama speaks during a ceremony honoring the 2015 NBA champion Warriors in the East Room at the White House.
Stephen Curry laughs with teammates as President Barack Obama speaks during a ceremony honoring the 2015 NBA champion Warriors in the East Room at the White House.
Geoff Burke, USA TODAY Sports
President Barack Obama is presented a jersey by Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love at an event honoring the 2016 NBA world champion Cavaliers on the South Lawn at the White House.
President Barack Obama is presented a jersey by Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love at an event honoring the 2016 NBA world champion Cavaliers on the South Lawn at the White House.
Geoff Burke, USA TODAY Sports
President Barack Obama shakes hands with NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar shortly before presenting him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, during a ceremony honoring 21 recipients, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, Nov. 22, 2016.
President Barack Obama shakes hands with NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar shortly before presenting him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, during a ceremony honoring 21 recipients, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, Nov. 22, 2016.
Saul Loeb, AFP/Getty Images
President Barack Obama, reacts as NBA legend Michael Jordan playfully looms over him at a Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, in Washington.
President Barack Obama, reacts as NBA legend Michael Jordan playfully looms over him at a Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, in Washington.
Andrew Harnik, AP