WASHINGTON — For President Barack Obama, seeing the Miami Heat at the White House on Tuesday was like deja vu.
A year after congratulating LeBron James and company on winning their second league title, Obama was doing it again. And so soon.
James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, their teammates and coaches, earned another White House visit by following that championship win with another last year. They topped the San Antonio Spurs in series that went the full seven games. A big basketball fan and recreational player, Obama described in detail how the Heat rallied from behind with less than a minute on the clock to win Game Six before clinching in the seventh.
"This group has now won twice but it's gone to the finals three times and, sometimes, it feels like they're still fighting for a little respect," Obama said, adding: "I can relate to that."
The Heat won NBA titles in 2006, 2012 and last year.
During an East Room ceremony, Obama also praised the team's off-court actions. The players visited wounded service members recuperating at an area military hospital before they came to the White House. Obama said it's an example of the charitable work Heat players do year-round, including raising nearly $2 million last year for charities at home.
"So bottom line is: outstanding athletes, outstanding organization, outstanding team but also outstanding members of their community," Obama said.
He wished them "great luck" for the rest of the current season, "unless they're playing the (Chicago) Bulls," Obama's hometown and favorite NBA team.
Coach Erik Spoelstra presented Obama with a commemorative championship trophy that lists the players' names as well as Obama's. The president also received an autographed basketball and team jersey with the number "44" and "POTUS" on the back. Obama is the 44th president and "POTUS" is an abbreviation for "president of the United States."
"This is a great honor for the entire Miami Heat family," Spoelstra said. "It does not get old."
The Heat weren't leaving Washington right away. After back-to-back losses, the team will shoot for a win over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night.