by Ryne Nelson / @slaman10
President Barack Obama has already discussed how he’s “concerned” and “heartbroken” about the NBA lockout. He can’t end the lockout, but the President will temporarily satisfy his basketball jones through a who’s who exhibition game in December.
The South Florida Sun Sentinel reports that participants already include Alonzo Mourning, Ray Allen, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Vince Carter, Tyson Chandler, Jamal Crawford, Kevin Durant, Baron Davis, Derek Fisher, Rudy Gay, Blake Griffin, Tyler Hansbrough, Dwight Howard, Juwan Howard, Antawn Jamison, Kevin Love, Cheryl Miller, Dikembe Mutombo, Chris Paul, Doc Rivers, Amar’e Stoudemire, John Wall and Russell Westbrook among others.
The League seems to have given the proverbial ‘OK’ to the exhibition by announcing an exemption to the gag order preventing contact between players and League officials.
More details below on the game, which will be played in a yet-to-be-announced venue in Washington DC.
The latest lockout offering? The Obama Classic Basketball Game, a fundraising event that apparently will have a Miami Heat flavor.
Friday night, BarackObama.com, a fundraising wing, announced that an NBA lockout game will be held Dec. 12 at a yet-to-be-announced venue in Washington, with Miami Heat forwards Chris Bosh and Juwan Howard, as well as Heat executive Alonzo Mourning among those on the playing rosters.
Mourning, 41, has not played since sustaining a serious knee injury in 2007, but has taken the court for various charity events. He is one of many retired players listed among the participants.
NBA lockout rules strictly forbid active players and members of team or NBA staffs to participate in common events, which also would be a factor with Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers and Orlando Magic assistant coach Patrick Ewing listed as event participants. To this point, team and league executives have been told to remain away from such lockout exhibitions.
However, the Sun Sentinel learned Friday night that the NBA has issued dispensation for team officials and locked-out players to interact in Obama event.
