Air Force One landed. The president refused to deplane.
Barack Obama remained on the presidential plane sitting on the tarmac until after Cleveland transcended the also-ran plane by winning its first major sports championship in 52 years. He returned to Andrews Field Sunday night at 10:19 p.m. Eastern after a trip with his wife and two daughters to Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Yosemite National Park.
He likes to travel. He likes basketball more, remaining on the aircraft for 18 minutes after landing to watch the dramatic ending to the Cleveland Cavaliers-Golden State Warriors series.
“What a game and what a series for the @Cavs,” the basketballer-in-chief tweeted. “Happy to see @KingJames bring it home for Cleveland!”
The Chicago Bulls fan had earlier jumped on the Golden State Warriors bandwagon as a basketball fan, along with much of America, as they dominated the regular season en route to a 73-9 record. “Steph Curry is the greatest shooter that I’ve ever seen,” President Obama conceded in a conversation with ballerina Misty Copeland included in Time magazine. “You knew I had an opinion on this. And I am having more fun watching him than anybody since Michael Jordan at his peak.”
The Cavaliers became the first team in NBA history to erase a 3-1 deficit to win the Finals. They did so in nail-biting fashion as the teams combined for 21 lead changes and eleven ties during the ultimate game.