When President Barack Obama visited Chicago to address the International Association of Chiefs of Police Conference at McCormick Place, he took time out to catch the Chicago Bulls in action against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the opening night of the NBA regular season.
"It's really cool for him to come out and support us. Him being from here and all. I'm glad we got a win for him, of course. We kind of had to focus on the Cavs a little bit but I think everybody was looking over there and saw Obama over there," said All-Star swingman Jimmy Butler reported ESPN.
"He loves the game of basketball. We all know that. It's an honor for me to be a part of a venue and a spectacle that the president would like to come and watch. It's an honor, for sure," said LeBron James, who is one of Obama's favorite players, according to ESPN.
The newly hired Chicago Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg was elated that Obama had decided to attend. "Nice of him to come see my debut," Hoiberg said, according to The New York Times.
"I am a big Bulls fan. It's very promising," said Obama during a half time interview, predicting that the Bulls and Cavs will be "two of the top teams" in the Eastern Conference, reports ABC News.
Obama also addressed a Democratic National Committee fundraiser at the Pump Room restaurant, saying, "About a year and a half ago, people were saying I was a lame duck." Instead, "we've been flapping our wings a lot," said Obama. The 80 guests at the lunch had paid approximately $33,400, to dine with the president according to NBA.
Soon after the game, Obama shared his experience on Twitter, saying that it was "good" to be home in Chicago for a night, and "even better" to watch the Bulls "start the season off right."
The Bulls won the game, 97-95.