The Champions Visit to the White House

The White House Visit

Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks are champions, and with every champion they have the opportunity to visit the White House. This trip almost did not happen because the NBA schedulers did not schedule the Mavericks to go through Washington this season, and with the lockout they could not make a scheduled trip prior to the season. I half wondered if Cuban made it happen with some promised campaign money for the President, but that would be a different story.

The event was very light hearted and the President took every opportunity to jab at the champions, and especially their age.

Obama said “this is the first time that I have been with World Champions who are my contemporaries.”

The President described Mark Cuban as “shy, and retiring” not sure that anybody else would agree with him there, but comedy ensued. He also commented on Dirk’s horrible rendition of We are the Champions, Jason Terry’s championship tattoo, and Rick Carlisle’s minor league champlionship.

This will be a memorable and special event for many of the players, especially Jason Kidd and Jason Terry. This was not Jason’s first rodeo to the White House he was a member of the 1997 National Champion Arizona Wildcats that were able to meet Bill Clinton. As President Obama was leaving the stage he stood and talked with Kidd for a good minute.

Although, it is interesting to note that the team’s best player is German, and have some French players as well. I am not sure that Ian Mahimni got the memo that a purple shirt and crooked bow tie are probably not the best options to wear when meeting the President of the United States.

The banner has been raised and now they have had their trip to the White House. Shaq talked about the Mavericks being on a victory lap around the league and not getting the best out of players this early in the season. The Mavericks are now 4-5 with 4 bad losses. They now sit in the eighth seed of the playoffs and if they are to return to prominence need to get over that victory lap and get back to work to defending that title.

Side notes from the White House

Delonte West said he could not go In the White House because of past infractions but apparently ABC world news reports that the secret service had a different opinion on the subject.

"The individual in question was never someone that would not be permitted to attend the event today," Secret Service agent Edwin Donovan said. "He is on the list for entry today and was never advised otherwise to my knowledge."

Rick Carlisle who is a noted piano player played the Star Spangled Banner.