WASHINGTON (AP) – Add President Obama to the list of people who disagree with Kobe Bryant's boast that this year's U.S. Olympic basketball team could beat the Dream Team of 1992.
"This is a generational thing," Obama said during a halftime interview with ESPN2 as it broadcast the USA's exhibition game Monday night vs. Brazil at Washington's Verizon Center. "I was around in '92, I was a Bulls fan, so I've got to go with the original Dream Team."
Obama and vice president Joe Biden took their seats to chants of "USA" before tipoff. A women's game preceded the men's game, both tune-ups to the London Games, which start later this month.
Bryant said recently that this team — deep and athletic with the likes of Bryant, LeBron James and Kevin Durant— would even beat the 1992 lineup. Its members included Hall of Fame players Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Scottie Pippen and Chris Mullin.
"I suspect that Michael and 'Sir Charles' and others would point out they were probably never down at any point in any of their games," Obama said. "But this is a great team, unbelievable talent."
The president added: "You know, Kobe's a competitor, so you expect him to do a little trash-talking whenever the opportunity arises."
Obama greeted members of the U.S. women's basketball team after its win against Brazil in the first game, telling the team, "We could not be prouder."
Obama is a basketball fan, and the games allowed him to wrap himself in the Olympic spirit during his re-election campaign. His Republican rival, Mitt Romney, is expected to use the Olympics to highlight his leadership role during the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City.
Romney, who helped turn around the Salt Lake City Olympics after they became caught up in a bribery scandal, plans to be in London for the opening ceremonies next week. First lady Michelle Obama will lead the U.S. delegation to the opening ceremonies.
Some members of the men's team are Obama supporters. A handful of Olympic team members, includingCarmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant and Chris Paul, had agreed to participate in a basketball game fundraiser for Obama's campaign last December, but the event was canceled because of the resolution of the NBA lockout. The exhibition has not been rescheduled.
Obama's campaign held a fundraiser last February at the Orlando-area home of Vince Carter of the Dallas Mavericks. Attendees included Paul, who plays point guard for the Los Angeles Clippers, NBA Commissioner David Stern and former NBA stars Magic Johnson and Alonzo Mourning.
Basketball has been a longtime passion of Obama's. He played in high school in Hawaii and likes to play pickup games with friends. He helps coach daughter Sasha's youth team and keeps close tabs on his hometown Chicago Bulls.
During Veterans Day last year, he was courtside for a game between Michigan State and North Carolinaon the flight deck of the USS Carl Vinson off the coast of San Diego. In March, Obama invited British Prime Minister David Cameron to an opening-round game of the NCAA tournament in Dayton, Ohio.
"This is a generational thing," Obama said during a halftime interview with ESPN2 as it broadcast the USA's exhibition game Monday night vs. Brazil at Washington's Verizon Center. "I was around in '92, I was a Bulls fan, so I've got to go with the original Dream Team."
Obama and vice president Joe Biden took their seats to chants of "USA" before tipoff. A women's game preceded the men's game, both tune-ups to the London Games, which start later this month.
Bryant said recently that this team — deep and athletic with the likes of Bryant, LeBron James and Kevin Durant— would even beat the 1992 lineup. Its members included Hall of Fame players Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Scottie Pippen and Chris Mullin.
"I suspect that Michael and 'Sir Charles' and others would point out they were probably never down at any point in any of their games," Obama said. "But this is a great team, unbelievable talent."
The president added: "You know, Kobe's a competitor, so you expect him to do a little trash-talking whenever the opportunity arises."
Obama greeted members of the U.S. women's basketball team after its win against Brazil in the first game, telling the team, "We could not be prouder."
Obama is a basketball fan, and the games allowed him to wrap himself in the Olympic spirit during his re-election campaign. His Republican rival, Mitt Romney, is expected to use the Olympics to highlight his leadership role during the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City.
Romney, who helped turn around the Salt Lake City Olympics after they became caught up in a bribery scandal, plans to be in London for the opening ceremonies next week. First lady Michelle Obama will lead the U.S. delegation to the opening ceremonies.
Some members of the men's team are Obama supporters. A handful of Olympic team members, includingCarmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant and Chris Paul, had agreed to participate in a basketball game fundraiser for Obama's campaign last December, but the event was canceled because of the resolution of the NBA lockout. The exhibition has not been rescheduled.
Obama's campaign held a fundraiser last February at the Orlando-area home of Vince Carter of the Dallas Mavericks. Attendees included Paul, who plays point guard for the Los Angeles Clippers, NBA Commissioner David Stern and former NBA stars Magic Johnson and Alonzo Mourning.
Basketball has been a longtime passion of Obama's. He played in high school in Hawaii and likes to play pickup games with friends. He helps coach daughter Sasha's youth team and keeps close tabs on his hometown Chicago Bulls.
During Veterans Day last year, he was courtside for a game between Michigan State and North Carolinaon the flight deck of the USS Carl Vinson off the coast of San Diego. In March, Obama invited British Prime Minister David Cameron to an opening-round game of the NCAA tournament in Dayton, Ohio.
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