The Los Angeles Lakers were honored by President Barack Obama on Monday at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington for winning their second consecutive NBA championship.
Laker players, coaches and trainer Gary Vitti took part in a service project at the club, continuing the Obama administration's practice of conducting a service project in conjunction with honoring a championship team.
The Lakers presented Obama with a personalized No. 1 jersey with his last name on the back in January when the Lakers visited the White House to be honored for winning the 2008-2009 NBA championship.
Obama joked about Monday's event, which was held at a location other than the White House.
"Kobe (Bryant) and Derek (Fisher) have been there so many times now they could lead tours themselves," Obama said.
The event came one day before the Lakers play the Washington Wizards in the third of six games away from Staples Center in a 10-day span.
The Lakers lost to Obama's hometown Chicago Bulls on Friday, a team Lakers coach Phil Jackson used to coach.
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"It has been a long drought since Phil left Chicago, although I have to say they witnessed in person on Friday that my Bulls are showing some signs of life," the president quipped.
