Obama Attends Wizards Game, Watches Them Defeat His Hometown Bulls (SLIDESHOW)

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama took a break from politics Friday to sit courtside at a basketball game between his hometown team Chicago Bulls and the Washington Wizards.

Obama's been on a winning streak in politics, but that didn't help his Bulls.

The president pumped his fist and grinned when the Bulls scored some of their points. But he was largely subdued, clapping politely, with his Chicago team losing for much of the game. Obama left the match early with about four minutes remaining _ and his hometown team trailing about 17 points.

SLIDESHOW:

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Obama watching the Washington Wizards play his hometown Chicago Bulls Friday night.

Though he has called himself a fan of the Bulls, Obama got a hearty welcome from Wizards fans when he arrived at the Verizon Center. Officials slightly delayed the game, waiting for his entrance. Once he entered, fans gave him a standing ovation and flashed their cameras.

Obama sat courtside across the court from the Wizards in seats that are usually taken by season ticket holders. White House senior adviser David Axelrod chose his seat in another section right before Obama entered.

Once the game was under way, Obama chatted much of the time with a Chicago friend, and shook hands with fans as they passed in front of him. He stayed in his courtside seat for most of the game, but he left with 47.8 seconds left in the first half to make a visit to Wizards owner Abe Pollin's suite. Obama returned to his seat by the court in the second half.

Obama got up to leave with just under 4 1/2 minutes left, not staying to endure the 113-90 final score of the winning Wizards.

Obama had already welcomed the Bulls into town Thursday, when the team visited him at the White House and presented him with a jersey.

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Associated Press writer Howard Fendrich contributed to this report.

Comments

[wineandjazz]

I'm glad to see that he was there with one of his very good friends who is from Chicago. I wonder how long it will take for Spike, Jay Z, B or any other celebrity that will now purchase tickets on the floor in DC hoping to sit next to him.

[wanttruth]

President Obama looks good and relaxed!

[4Quarters]

just think...he is messing it up for every president after him. they will be too afraid to be amongst the people, for the people and by the people. He has, is and will change the face of politics. GREAT!

As far as Rush...he will have to work overtime with Michael Steele to try to stop this Godsend.

[NewCenturyWoman]

Our president keeps his guard up when out in public (as he should) but still shows class. I like the fact that he seems to have made a conscience effort not to glance at that cheerleader whose rear end was literally in his face. He knows how to show respect to the position he holds and to his wife. (I like that). I believe he was probably a little uncomfortable when the cheerleader moved into his line of view--but notice how other men around him also looked away as if to protect him. Interesting.

[ckfan]

I was with you until you wrote . . . "notice how other men around him also looked away as if to protect him. Interestin­g."

I think you're reading WAY TO MUCH into this.

[joeythetrollslayer]

the kid is blocking his view. I know the reply, ok, maybe he is, but he looks disappointed then. No he looks like he is contemplating something.

[RogerTheShrubber]

And Rush chimes in: ... Well doesn't that just figure. The black socialist in the "White House" is off watching roundball while the nation is in turmoil... Doesn't that just figure...

[jayjola]

As to the cheerleader-

The cheerleader shown in this photo was one cheerleader in a line of cheerleaders running along the sidelines of the court where the President was sitting. There is another version of this photo with a wider angle showing cheerleaders in front and in back of her. The President wasn't looking at her, they were passing through HIS line of vision.

[JoeQuimby]

Beads for the natives, Its time to TCOB

[thefooligan5]

Obama looks good in an all black outfit. Like real good.

[Pie7]

Agreed!

[pisceanmind]

First pic is hilarious. I'm sure he's tired of seeing his visage on all those tacky t-shirts.

[sholbo]

Here we go again, a cheerleader shoving her behind infront of my president face.She better take her tiny behind away from the president face before I ask the secret service to slap bi@%h her unimpressive behind.

[vjoseph]

LOL

[dredeize]

I wouldn't call THAT unimpressive!!

[Joeblue]

That's the HOTTEST a s s i've seen in a long time!

[Jezreel]

Our President is a good guy. I'm very proud of him. He's also graying really fast. I wonder how he'll look in 2012.

[scully05]

i beleive pic 5 is a photo-shopped.
How in the world did she get way up there from off the court??

[osusana]

WAY UP THERE???? Do you think The President of the United States sits in the nosebleed seats at a Wizards game? He was clearly sitting at courtside.

[Rendon76]

God we have such a cool President.

[Rifka Clerveau]

when i saw those pics i was overjoyed. I LOVE THIS MAN SO BAD hes cool am smart and sexy everything about him is effoertless

[Emerald1943]

I wish the President would not take these risks! All it takes is one crazy wingnut! I'm sure the Secret Service was there but I feel this is just tempting fate. Please, please....­.don't let anything happen to this man! We need his leadership now more than ever!

[SwingVoter]

Do not worry, our President will be OK. Have you not read "The Appointment In Samarra" by W. Somerset Maugham? We can't live our lives in fear.

[SwingVoter]

Here is the short story:

"The Appointment in Samarra"
(as retold by W. Somerset Maugham [1933])

The speaker is Death

There was a merchant in Bagdad who sent his servant to market to buy provisions and in a little while the servant came back, white and trembling, and said, Master, just now when I was in the marketplace I was jostled by a woman in the crowd and when I turned I saw it was Death that jostled me. She looked at me and made a threatening gesture, now, lend me your horse, and I will ride away from this city and avoid my fate. I will go to Samarra and there Death will not find me. The merchant lent him his horse, and the servant mounted it, and he dug his spurs in its flanks and as fast as the horse could gallop he went. Then the merchant went down to the marketplace and he saw me standing in the crowd and he came to me and said, Why did you make a threating getsture to my servant when you saw him this morning? That was not a threatening gesture, I said, it was only a start of surprise. I was astonished to see him in Bagdad, for I had an appointment with him tonight in Samarra.

[solanus]

Wow isn't that the truth, good story

[Smurfaveli]

The bald headed white secret service agent was there....s­eems like he's always on duty. I'm sure these men and women are working incredibly to protect our President.

[luvangelHussein330]

" Fear is wasted energy" First Lady Michelle Obama

[Cool-headed]

Thanks for this quote... Much as I love seeing him enjoying a game with the crowd, how can I not worry?.... Do fans have to get thru metal-detectors before getting in?

[daisydukes]

My blood pressure increases just worrying about his safety in these open areas. The man is going to give me health issues while in my twenties. Those men in black better be on guard at all times.

[Rhonda Davis]

love his outfit!!

the real deal he is

great job mr pres

doing a great job