(From “Breaking News” At The Chicago Tribune Online)
Obama’s Sunday in Chicago starts with some hoops
The morning after a fancy Valentine’s Day dinner out, President Barack Obama hit the basketball court today to burn off a few calories and visit with some Chicago friends.
The presidential game, which lasted about two hours and was followed by a haircut at an apartment building near Obama’s home, was on the University of Chicago’s Lab School campus, according to a media pool report. No word yet on who he played with.
The game followed a Saturday evening meal enjoyed by Obama and his wife, Michelle, at a Gold Coast restaurant owned by Oprah Winfrey’s one-time personal chef, Art Smith.
After a three-day weekend at home, the First Family is scheduled leave for Washington from O’Hare International Airport aboard Air Force One about 10 a.m. Monday.
Obama’s basketball game was dissected on nation television on Sunday, when CNN’s “State of the Union with John King” asked several NBA stars to review his moves.
“He’s smart at the game,” said former Los Angeles Lakers star Magic Johnson said. “First thing up he’s passing, nice post pass, nice set up, always looking for the other man.”
After another clip, New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul takes note of Obama’s left-handedness and says “lefties always can shoot.”
After a three-pointer, King asks whether Obama has enough swagger after sinking a bucket.
“Nah, he’s got plenty of swagger,” said Phoenix Suns’ guard Steve Nash. “Plenty of swagger. You can tell.”
Basketball Hall-of-Famer Bill Russell of the Boston Celtics called Obama a “pretty good rebounder.”
Johnson, who attended Obama’s inauguration, made clear that he likes Obama’s game on and off the court.
“He sees the play before it develops,” he said. “That is how he is running the country. I don’t want people to say you are linking the president to a point guard. I’m not doing it … what I’m saying is that a point guard got to think five minutes ahead.”
White House Spokesman Robert Gibbs had been asked about the importance of basketball to the president during an appearance on King’s show.
“There are very few days in which I don’t see, at some point in the day, the president either handling or dribbling a basketball,” Gibbs said. “I know he’s anxious to get out on the court. He is going to play with some friends in Chicago here today. It’s been a part of his life for a very long time, growing up in Hawaii and playing with his friends on a playground, and even playing with those very same friends now.”
Gibbs said the review by professional players might even be a little intimidating for the nation’s most powerful man.
“I can only imagine that if I were to call him now, he would be a little nervous that people like Bill Russell were going to critique his game,” he said. “That’s pretty serious.”
It is a basketball-heavy day for Obama, who will appear in a public service announcement for volunteerism during tonight’s NBA All-Star Game.
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