Top 5 moments from NBA champions visiting the White House over the years
NBA Players who win the in the finals typically make a visit to the White House to celebrate their triumphant moment. Many basketball teams have made visits to the sacred land of the US president. To the president's credit, they've been genuine and kind enough to praise these players for all the hard work they put in on a daily basis. It is truly an honorable moment for athletes and politicians alike.
With that in mind, let's take a look at some of the most memorable moments of when the NBA champions have visited the White House.
#5. The Golden State Warriors return to the White House after avoiding ex-president Donald Trump
US President Joe Biden recently invited the Golden State Warriors to the White House to celebrate their 2022 NBA championship win. The last time Golden State made a visit was back when they won their first title in 40 years in 2015. Barack Obama was still President at the time, which meant that NBA players were still welcome.
Former President Donald Trump was in office during the Warriors' 2017 and 2018 campaigns. The relationship between Trump and NBA athletes was tense, as Trump constantly made controversial remarks, especially regarding the Black Lives Matter movement. As a result, Golden State did not celebrate their victories in the White House.
Now with Joe Biden in charge, it's a pleasant sight to see that the Warriors are welcomed once again.
#4. Boston Celtics welcomed by President John F. Kennedy in 1963
The Boston Celtics' trip to the White House appeared to have been planned on the fly, in contrast to today's visits, which are scheduled months in advance. The Celtics were in the midst of an illustrious run in January 1963 that would see them win nine of the following 10 titles in the decade.
When the Boston, Massachusetts native and President John F. Kennedy learned that they were in the residence, he seized the chance to meet them. John Havlicek, Bob Cousy, the late Tommy Heinsohn, and head coach Red Auerbach were among the athletes that met Kennedy.
Bill Russell, the team's standout center, was notably absent because he overslept and had no knowledge of meeting the president.
#3. LeBron James' first visit to the White House
Back in 2013, LeBron James won his first title with the Miami Heat. It was such a surreal moment for him and James couldn't help but express his excitement. He did so by giving a shoutout to his mom that he finally made it to where he always wanted to be. LBJ was grateful and honored to be standing next to president Barack Obama to celebrate his first NBA championship.
“We just want to thank you … for allowing us to be, I mean, in the White House. I mean, we’re in the White House. We’re kids from Chicago and Dallas, Texas and Michigan and Ohio and South Dakota, Miami and we’re in the White House right now. This is like, ‘Hey, Mama, I made it.’”
#2. President Barack Obama congratulates the Cleveland Cavaliers for ending 52-year drought
President Barack Obama is an avid basketball fan. He recognized the significance of the Cleveland Cavaliers defeating the Golden State Warriors to win the 2016 NBA championship, ending the city's 52-year title drought. After the Cavaliers became the first team to come back from a 3-1 series deficit to win the championship, he welcomed them to the White House months later.
#1. Michael Jordan visits the White House for the first time after previously declining
In 1991 months after Michael Jordan led the Chicago Bulls to their first championship, he decided to skip visiting the White House. Instead, Jordan decided to play golf while his teammates were in the Oval Office celebrating with President George H. W. Bush. Then came 1997, during the Bulls' second three-peat, MJ finally made his first trip to the White House.