Chris Duhon got to know President Barack Obama during pickup games in Chicago last spring and summer. Here are his thoughts, as told to Marc Berman, on yesterday’s inauguration of the 44th President of the United States:
AS I watched the inauguration unfold on TV in the locker room with my Knicks teammates after yesterday’s practice, I felt excited for our country, excited for my best friend Reggie Love and excited for my basketball acquaintance, President Barack Obama.
Reggie Love is Obama’s right-hand man, but his official title is “Special Assistant and Personal Aide to POTUS (President of the United States).”
To me, he’s just Reggie, my teammate for three years at Duke whom I still speak to every day. Through Reggie, I met President Obama and played pickup basketball games with him this past April, May and June – 5 on 5 – in Chicago’s East Bank Club. Reggie invited me to yesterday’s inauguration – an offer I had to decline.
To watch Obama win on Election Night was thrilling after meeting him on a personal level. It felt like Reggie was winning, too. Yesterday, after watching the inauguration ceremony, I just felt very excited because I felt connected to it as well.
It’s a breath of fresh air that we’re going to try to make a change. I texted Reggie right after the speech, “Congrats. Wish I could’ve been there.”
When Obama finished his speech yesterday, all of my Knicks teammates clapped as one. It was emotional. No one in that room expected to see a black president in their lifetime. I didn’t think that was something that would happen, growing up in Louisiana. To witness it actually happen shows that all of what our ancestors worked for and sacrificed for has finally come about.
Obama is very confident and he presents himself as a strong leader. He’ll do whatever it takes to get things done.
The times I’ve spent with Obama at the East Bank Club, he was very approachable, easy to talk to, cracking a lot of jokes. He made me feel comfortable as soon as we met, made me feel loose. It was cool to get to play with him a few times after my last Bulls season ended.
He watches basketball all the time. He and Reggie talk about sports and he loves the Chicago teams. He always asked me, “Are the Bulls going to make the playoffs this year? How good are they going to be?” He was always watching, especially because Reggie keeps an eye on my game.
During our pickup games, Obama was very vocal on both ends of the court, constantly talking, directing guys, telling them where to go. He understands how to play the game. He can only go left, though. He knows how to pass and is a decent shooter.
I was surprised, but more surprised at how he made me feel comfortable from the get-go. The whole time there, I wasn’t nervous to be around him. He’s just a normal guy like everyone else.
I had a chance to guard him. He guarded me a few times. I didn’t go full out, but everyone else out there does. Nobody takes it easy on him. They definitely go after him.
When the Knicks were in Washington last week, I went out with Reggie to a Japanese restaurant. Oddly, we didn’t talk about the upcoming inauguration or the Knicks. I was glad to catch up with him because we are both so busy. We were able to just get away from everything. It’s all you hear about, all you talk about. I don’t want to talk about basketball. He doesn’t want to talk about his job. We just talk about life in general.
Reggie didn’t know initially if he wanted to go and work in the White House after they won the election. He was thinking of going to law school to pursue that career. I told him it would be a great opportunity because not many people can say they worked for a president and be with a president all the time. He’s excited about it.
Reggie wondered if I could go to the event. I know how historic it is, first African-American president. I wanted to be there as a supporter and friend to Reggie. At the same time, I’m in the middle of the season. We’re not that far out of the playoffs. We’re making good strides. This is my obligation to compete with this team. I knew the best thing for me was to stay here.
As many people know, I am from Slidell, La. After Hurricane Katrina, my old house and where my sister still lived was destroyed. My high school was completely destroyed. I was glad I was able to help and do my part with my “Stand Tall Foundation.”
I think my home state will be in good hands with Obama. One of his main focuses is the education system. Louisiana’s educational system needs to be strengthened. Obama will help improve the situation there and in other neighborhoods around the country. Youth is our future. We need to educate them as best as we can.
After the Obamas settle in comfortably into their new home, I’d like to invite them to a Knicks game. We’ll see what happens!