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He doesn’t want to meddle. That’s a relief. But the President of the United States does claim to have some insight [2] into what is best for LeBron James:
“You know, like I said, I don’t want to meddle,” Obama told TNT. “I will say this: [Derrick] Rose [3], Joakim Noah [4] it’s a pretty good core. You know, you could see LeBron fitting in pretty well there.”
There’s more:
“I think that the most important thing for LeBron right now is actually to find a structure where he’s got a coach that he respects and is working hard with teammates who care about him and if that’s in Cleveland, then he should stay in Cleveland,” Obama said. “If he doesn’t feel like he can get it there, then someplace else.”
The meddler-in-chief then gives us his fascinating theory of athletic success:
Obama compared James’ situation to the Bulls not winning until Michael Jordan [5] had confidence in Phil Jackson, Scottie Pippen [6] and the rest of his teammates. Once that happened, Chicago won six NBA championships in the 1990s.
“It wasn’t until you got that framework around you that you could be a champion,” Obama said. “Same thing happened with Kobe [Bryant] [7]. You know, I think that, first with Shaq [O’Neal] [8] then later with [Pau] Gasol [9], you know, he’s gotten that sense of a team around him and I think LeBron hasn’t quite been able to get that yet. That’s what he needs to find.”
Yes, that is what LeBron James needs–a coach he respects and “a sense of a team around him.” Obama’s lack of knowledge of what is best for LeBron James doesn’t stop him from offering his opinion of what is best for LeBron James. But of course if you read it carefully, he is really offering his opinion of what is best for himself–he’s a Bulls fan.