Cleveland Cavaliers LeBron James stands on the court against the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter in Game 6 of their NBA Eastern Conference playoff basketball series in Boston, Massachusetts May 13, 2010.[Photo/Agencies]??
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Cleveland Cavaliers LeBron James stands on the court against the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter in Game 6 of their NBA Eastern Conference playoff basketball series in Boston, Massachusetts May 13, 2010.[Photo/Agencies]?? |
WASHINGTON - U.S. President Barack Obama endorsed his hometown Chicago Bulls as a great destination for LeBron James should the National Basketball Association MVP decide to leave Cleveland as a free agent this year.
The NBA's First Fan, a known Bulls supporter, made his case in an interview that will be aired during TNT's telecast of Tuesday's playoff game between Los Angeles and Phoenix.
"You know, like I said, I don't want to meddle," Obama said in the interview on the White House basketball court. "I will say this: (Derrick) Rose, Joakim Noah it's a pretty good core. You know, you could see LeBron fitting in pretty well there."
James, a six-times All-Star, is one of several high-profile players who could opt for free agency this year. He has never won a championship and his top-seeded Cavaliers took an early exit from the playoffs earlier this month.
The interview with Obama, an avid NBA fan and recreational basketball player himself, came before Monday's announcement that Cleveland fired head coach Mike Brown.
"I think that the most important thing for LeBron right now is actually to find a structure where he's got a coach that he respects and is working hard with teammates who care about him and if that's in Cleveland, then he should stay in Cleveland," said Obama.
"If he doesn't feel like he can get it there, then someplace else."