Tue Mar 03, 2009 7:15 pm EST

Unless you've been living under a rock (and it's okay to admit if you have, I'm told rent is cheap), you probably heard that President Barack Obama sat courtside at D.C.'s Verizon Center Friday night, watching his hometown Chicago Bulls take on the Washington Wizards.
The First Fan drank beer, read the game program and left early (with four minutes left) during a blowout. "All common American activity," as Tom Ziller put it, "except most of us don't sit courtside, nor are we important enough that the NBA will hold up a tip-off until we get to our seats." (Speak for yourself, Z!)
But Obama's night of "Joe Plumber Americana" didn't stop there. He also exchanged a few playful words with a diehard Wizards fan sitting a few rows back. Yes, that's right, the 44th President of the United States joined in a little trash talk. Awesome.
The vocal instigator: Miles Rawls (above, standing, "heckling"), the commissioner of the Barry Farms' Goodman League — a big-time summer circuit in Southeast D.C., which has starred Gilbert Arenas and Kevin Durant, among others.
Dan Steinberg of the D.C. Sports Bog, in a fun must-read, talked with Rawes about trading barbs with the President.
Here's a snippet from the interview:
[Rawls] said his chatter, like always, was unscripted, "right off the top of my head. I just had to see how he was gonna take it," Rawls said. "Once I knew he was a big trash talker, too, about them Bulls, that means the gloves came off." [...]
"I wasn't heckling the President and I don't heckle the players. I talk about their weaknesses. We was having a good time. He was talking trash and I was talking trash. I couldn't believe he was that laidback and real. I loved it."
And while they talked through much of the game, Rawls — who had never met a President — said no lines were crossed. "I wasn't disrespectful," he said. "I know my limits."
So, for example, he told the President that if he was rooting for the visitors, he was "gonna have to keep it to a low roar, because we're cheering for the Wizards over here." Obama, in turn, repeatedly needled Rawls about the Wizards' habit of letting leads evaporate, especially when the Bulls made a run.
"We was just going back and forth," Rawls said. "Once Chicago started coming back, he told me, 'Now I think you need to sit down.' When Tyrus Thomas dunked on somebody, he turned around, was talking smack. Then JaVale McGee had that alley-oop, and he gave me the high five. We was just supporting each others' team, having a good time."
Click here for the full interview.

Ball Don't Lie is an NBA blog edited by J.E. Skeets. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

Posted Nov 25 2009
Posted Nov 25 2009
Posted Nov 25 2009
Edited by MJD
Edited by 'Duk
Edited by J.E. Skeets
Edited by Greg Wyshynski
Edited by Matt Hinton
Edited by E. Brennan
Edited by Jay Busbee
Edited by Jay Busbee
Edited by Steve Cofield
Edited by Chris Chase
Edited by Chris Chase
Edited by Andy Behrens
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How about the usher behind Obama? Her job is apparently to look at the camera and smile all night?
hillarious dude
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I think she's either a statue or a paper standee. Her smile didn't change in those two photos.
To all Obama critics:
I don't know much about him or what he will do, but i dearly wish my own country can have a fresh president who will energize and unify our nation.
--tripsulat
manila, philippines
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Let's face it, Obama's the president of the United States, he can do whatever he wants...
Its funny, that the Dems are saying the Rs are all sour and shouldn't be talking...yet their party is the most sour one, the one that loves to create phobias and irrational panic. This is not the place for politics, but unfortunately, the sports news loves to inject Obama talk into every Sportscenter, halftime show, news article, or blog...
Let me say this...so what? Who cares if Obama went to a game. Who cares if so and so player dedicated the next game to Obama. Who cares if so and so player wants to be the first team to visit the white house...what does that have to do with covering sports??
Some idiot even asked him how he feels about steroids in baseball at the state of the union...who cares?? Others have called for Obama to fix college ftbll...who cares??
For those paying attention to the real world, notice that Obama is following Bush economic policy. Only diff is he plans to tax "the rich" and give some free handouts...
Obviously, I hope that his plans work, as does everyone in America I assume, but unlike the mindless drones that believe he's got the touch of gold and everything he does is super, I'd rather see what he does...
So far...no different than any other politicians in his actions, speeches or policies since taking office...
But whatever, bow down to him people...
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Bush can throw one helluva opening pitch, though.
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