President Obama showed off his basketball knowledge as he introduced the 2014-15 NBA champion Golden State Warriors during their visit to the White House Thursday.
“Folks are saying they are revolutionizing basketball. … This really is one of the best that we’ve ever seen. … It’s almost not fair,” Obama said with the squad trying to keep straight faces behind him. “They play not just well, but they play well together. They play as a team, the way basketball is supposed to be played, and it’s beautiful to watch when they’re firing on all cylinders.”
Obama mentioned that he was 10 the last time the Warriors won an NBA title in 1975. He also poked fun at shooting guard Klay Thompson, who said in September he forgot there was an NBA team in Oakland, Calif., during his time at Washington State University.
The president introduced every person of note in the room individually, starting with House Minority Leader Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who Obama said is a big Warriors fan. He went through the entire Warriors organization before arriving at coach Steve Kerr.
“It is rare to be in the presence of guys on one of the best teams in NBA history,” Obama said, before introducing Kerr as a member of the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls, which is widely regarded as the greatest team in NBA history. Obama, formerly an Illinois senator, is an outspoken Chicago sports fan.
The president took some lighthearted jabs at reigning NBA MVP Steph Curry.
“Steph’s a pretty good shooter,” Obama said the day after Curry hit 11 three-pointers and scored 51 points against the Washington Wizards. “For those of you who watched the game against the Wizards last night, he was, to use slang, clowning.” He joked that Thompson had a prettier jump shot than Curry.
Obama then brought up a golf game he played with Curry, his father, Dell Curry, and fellow NBA sharpshooter Ray Allen last summer. According to Obama, Curry had been using the Secret Service’s intimidating presence as an excuse for losing the round.
“That is not the case,” Obama said. “But he will have another opportunity.”
After he finished his jokes, Obama discussed the Warriors’ advocacy work, including players who took “a stand against gun violence, worked with [first lady] Michelle’s Let’s Move initiative [and] dressed up as Santa to donate to those in need.”
“These are the kind of people you want representing a city, representing the NBA and the kinds of people you want your kids to be rooting for,” he said.
He ended his remarks with one last joke at Kerr’s expense. The 45-4 Warriors are trying to break the NBA record for the best record in a season, held by the ’95-96 Bulls’ 72-10 mark.
“Maybe you’ll break that Bulls record,” Obama said. “As Coach Kerr pointed out, he wins either way.”
