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Rules for Playing Hoops With the President

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 13, 2009 4:37 PM CST

(Newser) – Barack Obama’s beloved basketball may be the most “accessible and democratic” of sports, but “the game will change once the oath of office is administered,” Andrew Stengel writes for the Huffington Post. “Unlike the checks and balances in our three branches of government, there may be a unitary executive who rules on the court.” Stengel, who played with New York governor Mario Cuomo, lays out three rules for survival when playing against the chief executive.

  • "Play to win:" the commander-in-chief deserves nothing less than your best effort.
  • Avoid Reggie Love: Obama's "body man" also happens to have played basketball and football at Duke, and likely outclasses you—by a lot.
  • Don't knock down the president: Stengel toppled Cuomo when "we were in a reelection fight and could not afford an injured candidate." Luckily, he was just traded to the governor's team.

Reggie Love, aide to Barack Obama.
Reggie Love, aide to Barack Obama.   (AP Photo)
Former New York governor Mario Cuomo.
Former New York governor Mario Cuomo.   (AP Photo)
Obama shoots some hoops.
Obama shoots some hoops.   (AP Photo)
Obama plays with UNC's Jack Wooten.
Obama plays with UNC's Jack Wooten.   (AP Photo)
Barack Obama plays in Indiana.
Barack Obama plays in Indiana.   (AP Photo)
Obama plays in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Obama plays in Chapel Hill, N.C.   (AP Photo)
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