Lakers Visit Obama at the White House

Obama excited to see Phil Jackson (and the Lakers)

The reigning NBA champions, including Coach Phil Jackson and Hall of Famer Magic Johnson, will be meeting with President Obama on Monday, according to team spokesman John Black.

"About to meet PRESIDENT OBAMA! This is unreal," Lamar Odom tweeted Monday morning.

The agenda for the trip? A chat with the basketball-lovin' Obama and followed by a reception to honor the Lakers for winning their 15th NBA title this past season. 

The White House stop, expected to last about an hour, comes on the sixth day of an eight-game, 14-day road trip that started with a loss in Cleveland.

Obama called Jackson in June to congratulate him on winning his record-setting 10th championship as a head coach. They also discussed the keys to the Lakers' success and the President's interest in the Lakers' triangle offense, according to the White House.

Obama, a fan and a recreational player himself, told Jackson that he had admired him since his days with the Chicago Bulls and was excited about the future meeting.

Monday's visit will be the team's first trip to the White House since January 2002, their only visit during their three-peat tenure.

On Sunday, Obama, who played for his high school team while growing up in Hawaii, reportedly took daughters Malia and Sasha to a Maryland gym to shoot some hoops. On Saturday, the president attended one of Sasha's school basketball games.

Lakers fans will be listening intently to hear if Kobe Bryant informs the president that he will "see him next year for number 16."

Copyright CNS - City News Service
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