Obama Plays Basketball With NBA Stars LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Others

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama pulled together an informal dream team of current and former basketball superstars Sunday. But only a few people got to see it.

LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and other NBA all-stars joined Obama in Washington to entertain wounded troops.

The present-day stars were joined by some retired legends, including Bill Russell and Magic Johnson. College player Maya Moore of the Connecticut Huskies women's team also played.

The game was played for a group of "wounded warriors" – troops injured in action – and participants in the White House's mentoring program. It took place at a gym inside Washington's Fort McNair, a short drive from the White House. The president was inside the gym for about two hours.

The reporters assigned to keep tabs on the president were shut out of the gym, forced to wait in vans outside. Asked why media coverage was blocked, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said Obama "just wanted to play."

After the game some of the players joined Obama and a group of his friends for a barbecue at the White House, capping the president's 49th birthday week.

A small tent and tables decorated with sunflowers and yellow and white tablecloths were being set up on the South Lawn when Obama returned from playing basketball. The White House said the meal will include shrimp from the Gulf of Mexico.

First lady Michelle Obama and daughter Sasha returned to the White House on Sunday night after a vacation in Spain. The Obamas' older daughter, Malia, is away at summer camp.

Comments

[Samuel Nnadi]

05:35 AM on 08/12/2010

Thank you Mr. President, it is nice to remember our wounded warriors.

[FreedomDawg]

01:31 AM on 08/12/2010

Diversity was not a big issue apparently.

[commonsense333]

06:02 PM on 08/11/2010

All I see is a black man taking everything he can get from the office of the President. He is living it up, because he knows he isn't going to be re-elected. He screwed up, and now he is just going to double fist the perks of the job, and wallow in his own self importance as the first black president.

[brijo731]

01:58 PM on 08/11/2010

The obamas are tone deaf or dumb as rocks. We are sick of them!!!

[TiffanyHusseinBanned]

05:56 PM on 08/10/2010

How very magnanimous of Obama to include Magic Johnson, the guy who attacked him during the Democratic primaries.

[Da-king]

03:37 PM on 08/10/2010

The President was having some good old basketball fun.

[Mike Clark II]

09:15 AM on 08/10/2010

sounds fun, but i think obama was afraid of someone snappin a pic of him being DUNKED on! or crossed over! but either way, he needs his private time sometimes

[idkalu]

03:15 AM on 08/10/2010

Entertaining the troops? Who is this guy, Bob Hope?

LMAO just kidding, my president is cooler than the other side of the pillow. OBAMA 2012!

[Jefferson78]

01:31 AM on 08/10/2010

All this clown does is throw parties, vacation and play ball. He is the laziest President we have ever had.

[galaxian]

01:41 AM on 08/10/2010

Health and finance reform, two wars. Dealing with blockheaded opposition every day. Some Presidents stay busy making wars, so be careful what you ask for.

[DR2]

01:52 AM on 08/10/2010

You must of been thinking about Bush Jefferson78, but you forgot about the wars he created.

[Murphdogg]

08:05 PM on 08/09/2010

In a follow-up story...LBJ to get MRI on elbow after the secret service put him on the floor for hard fouling POTUS. Kobe was heard to say "Now take Flash to rack Mr. President".

[Marrymeplease]

04:20 PM on 08/09/2010

Hope the troops enjoyed themselves. This was nice of the President and the NBA players. We all can do something to say thanks and let them know we appreciate what they do for our country. I know people sent packages, and wrote letters. Thank you troops.

[SheikArbusto]

02:42 PM on 08/09/2010

As recommended by Batman and LeRobin James's PR firm. They had to do something for some positive publicity.

[morefromLA]

04:52 PM on 08/09/2010

'LeRobin' nice. Still, it worked.

[Bagger]

02:28 PM on 08/09/2010

Love the ball.

[johnqpublik]

01:45 PM on 08/09/2010

How come he only invited 1 1/2 white guys?

[Gus Adaire]

01:57 PM on 08/09/2010

LOL

[BeVeryAfraid]

02:14 PM on 08/09/2010

"My America is color blind just like opportunity and justice are supposed to be."

So much for your American being color blind!

[riazkj4]

02:44 PM on 08/09/2010

I don't get this. He counts as half white.

[johnqpublik]

03:03 PM on 08/09/2010

Pau Gasol and Shane Battier

[method]

01:30 PM on 08/09/2010

I understand Kobe was also there but didn't play. I guess Kobe feels he is too good to play w/the POTUS. I also understand that the POTUS is not one of Kobe's favorite people so why is Kobe continually invited to the White House? Kobe needs to wait until there's a Republican in office before he goes back to the White House...Kobe, you have another 12 yrs

[TMS1]

01:42 PM on 08/09/2010

Uh, Kobe just had knee surgery last month.

[morefromLA]

04:55 PM on 08/09/2010

The man just had knee surgery and is getting ready for another surgery (finger). Give him credit for being there instead of being a h8r.