Barack Obama has named his basketball dream team with some interesting selections and reasoning as the former president of the United States stars in a promotional video for a Netflix show where he snubs Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal.
Obama, often noted for his laid back charisma and cool personality, despite bombing seven different countries as president, decided to apply his critical thinking skills to who he thinks would be the best hoopers in history in the context of the modern game.
And the 63-year-old, who served between 2009-2017, wasted no time in naming Michael Jordan and LeBron James to the list but after the pair, universally regarded as the best two to ever do it, things get a little interesting.
“I’m from Chicago. MJ, Michael Jordan, at shooting guard,” Obama said kicking off his list. “I’d put LeBron at point forward.
“A bunch of times he’d be bringing up the ball and he’d be distributing. He’d basically be doing some of the stuff that he did recently in the Olympics and that is a pretty good approximation of what Magic Johnson could do.
“But I want a little bit of shooting and a little bit of flair so I’m going to put my friend, Steph Curry, into the mix because we’re in the three point era and he is the greatest shooter of all time, bar none.
“At center, I’m going to put Hakeem “The Dream” Olajuwon whose game I think translates to today’s game. He was such an amazing athlete, an anchor on defense. He’s going to give you everything you need out of the center position.
“This last spot is tough, but I think, especially given today’s game, I’ve got to go with Kevin Durant. KD. Who may be the most efficient effective scorer in the history of basketball. I’m feeling pretty good about that five beating just about anybody.”
So there it is. Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Steph Curry, Hakeem Olajuwon and Kevin Durant make up President Obama’s team.
Fans react to Obama’s roster
Obama appeared in the video to promote the Starting 5 documentary, which follows NBA players in an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at life as a pro basketballer and follows stars such as LeBron James and Jimmy Butler.
Yet fans were immediately swept up in a discussion around his picks and claims in the post that earned 86,000 likes and 17m views.
One user said on X.com, formerly Twitter, “Not a single white guy. What a shock-! Never heard of Larry Bird, John Stockton, Steve Nash? So predictable.”
A second added, “No Scottie Pippen?!”
And a third wrote, “Ik Obama was a real one he actually knows ball and understands spacing and lanes.”
