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Obama Says Future of the Bulls 'Very Promising'

By Stephanie Lulay | October 28, 2015 11:37am | Updated on October 29, 2015 9:57am
 President Barack Obama sits courtside as the Chicago Bulls take on the Cleveland Cavaliers during the season opening game at the United Center on Tuesday.
President Barack Obama sits courtside as the Chicago Bulls take on the Cleveland Cavaliers during the season opening game at the United Center on Tuesday.
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NEAR WEST SIDE — If you were at the Bulls season opener Tuesday night, you already know the rumors were true: POTUS was in the house.

As President Barack Obama arrived at the United Center in the game's second quarter, the commander-in-chief was welcomed with cheers from the crowd, shaking hands with fans in the front row and waving to others. Then he settled in courtside to watch Derrick Rose, Jimmy Butler and the rest of the Bulls crew take take on the Cleaveland Cavaliers with longtime friend Marty Nesbitt, businessman and chairman of the Barack Obama Foundation, which is planning for Obama's future presidential library on the South Side.

The big Bulls fan ultimately brought the Bulls luck, as the team defeated Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers 97-95.

In between cheering on the Bulls, Obama bounced a wayward basketball back across the court, gave the Bucket Boys drum ensemble a standing ovation and took pictures with babies.

In a televised interview on TNT, Obama tackled the future of the Bulls.

"I'm a big Bulls fan. I think it's very promising. You've got a new coach. He's opening up the offense a little bit. The question is whether they can hold on to the defense with the new offense," Obama said. "Look, if you've got [Jimmy] Butler, you've got [Derrick] Rose, you want to make sure they can get into the paint, do what they do creatively."

Obama said he is optimistic that the Bulls will make a great showing this season.

"I'm feeling optimistic right now. I like how Derrick is playing right now. Butler's been a terrific young player," the president said.

But will his home team go all the way?

"I'm glad my Bulls are over in the East," Obama said, referencing the competitive Western conference.

 

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