Barack Obama Gets Standing Ovation And 'MVP' Chants At Game 2 of NBA Finals In Toronto
During Game 2 of the 2019 NBA finals between the Toronto Raptors and Golden State Warriors, there were many celebrities in attendance. However, none of them ignited the crowd to stand on their feet like former president Barack Obama.
Before the game, Barack Obama was seen being led into the Scotiabank Arena with the Toronto Raptors president of basketball operations, Masai Ujiri.
In the stadium, Barack Obama sat next to NBA commissioner Adam Silver.
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Then with 5:16 left in the second quarter, the Toronto Raptors PA announcer formally welcomed the 44th president.
"Welcome, welcome, welcome, Mr. Barack Obama,'' the announcer shouted as the crowd cheered.
Everyone in the stadium got up on their feet and gave Obama a lengthy standing ovation. As the former president waved and smiled at the crowd, people began chanting “MVP! MVP!”
Cameras also captured a brief meeting between Obama and Raptors superfan Drake, who was also in attendance at the game.
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Some people on Twitter couldn’t help but wonder if Obama’s presence prevented Drake from displaying courtside antics similar to Game 1.
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During his trip to Canada, Obama also delivered a speech in Ottawa and met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at a local pub, reported the Toronto Star.
While addressing the crowd at Ottawa’s Canadian Tire Centre, Obama praised Raptors fans, but also mentioned he “has good friends in both” teams.
“I love both teams, I want a great series. Neither of them are the [Chicago] Bulls so I feel no obligation to choose,” Obama said in Ottawa.
Of course, Obama is probably referencing his relationship with Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry, who has played golf with Obama and donated to the Obama Foundation.
Last year when the Warriors won the NBA championship, they famously skipped the visit to the White House. Instead, Steph Curry arranged for the team to have a private meeting with Obama.
