Updated: Tuesday, 10 Jan 2012, 9:34 AM CST
Published : Tuesday, 10 Jan 2012, 9:34 AM CST
WASHINGTON - The Dallas Mavericks were welcomed to the White House on Monday by a jovial President Barack Obama, who congratulated them on last season's NBA Championship and praised their tremendous team spirit.
With members of the victorious team standing behind him, Obama said the Mavs were worthy of recognition not only for their on-court performance but also for their work in the Dallas community and supporting military personnel.
"This team really does have a heart the size of Texas," he said.
Referring to the team's finals victory over the Miami Heat last season, Obama said Dallas knew "how good teams win."
"Not just by jumping higher or running faster, but by finding the open man, working together, staying mentally tough, being supportive of each other, playing smarter," he said.
But a joking Obama also took a friendly shot at the veteran team's age, saying, "This is the first time I have been with world champions who are my contemporaries."
He also couldn't resist a plug for his hometown team.
"I just want to give a heartfelt congratulations to all of you. It's too bad that next year it'll be the Chicago Bulls here," he said to laughter.
Power forward Dirk Nowitzki, who presented the basketball-loving Obama with a team jersey, was singled out for particular praise.
"I think it's fair to say we have very rarely seen a better playoff run than Dirk Nowitzki had last year," the president said.
Still, he made time for a light-hearted jab at the German, who played in the finals despite a painful finger injury and fever.
"Clearly Dirk is a tough guy, although the most painful thing may have been his rendition of 'We are the Champions' during the victory celebrations," the president said.
The Mavs had to schedule their own trip to Washington this year, at the expense of owner Mark Cuban, as the strike-shortened season left a visit to the Washington Wizards off the schedule.
The team flew to Washington on Saturday and will now travel to Detroit for their scheduled game against the Pistons on Tuesday night.
One player who reportedly did not make the White House was Mavericks guard Delonte West, who said he was "banned" because of a criminal conviction in 2010.
"I'm banned from going to the White House, so I'm not going to make it," West told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram at the weekend. "But I'm going home to D.C. I'm just not allowed to go to the White House. That's what happens when you make bad decisions in your life. You can't go to the White House."
However, the situation remained unclear Monday, with USA Today quoting Secret Service spokesman Ed Donovan as saying that West could have attended the event.
West was not a member of the championship squad, and only joined the Mavericks this season.
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