Shaq's shoe makes big impression on President Obama
Posted Feb 17 2009 8:08PM
PHOENIX (AP) -- What's the ideal gift for a basketball-obsessed president? Try a size 23 sneaker personally autographed by Shaquille O'Neal.
The Phoenix Suns center couldn't be around himself when President Barack Obama arrived at Sky Harbor International Airport Tuesday afternoon. So when the president stepped off of Air Force One, Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon's son Jake made the presentation at the foot of the stairs.
The orange-and-white sneaker made a big impression.
Obama set it on the ground next to his own, much smaller shoe, and grinned as photographers captured the moment. Then Obama scooped it up and took it with him as he stepped into the presidential limo.
On Sunday, O'Neal shared MVP honors with Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers.
- 2010 All-Star Ballot
- Vote! TNT All-Decade
- Free Agent Tracker
- 2009 Playoffs
- 2009 NBA Draft
- twitter.com / NBA
- NBA on Facebook
- Transactions
- 2009 Awards
- Officiating & Rules
- 2009 All-Star
- Coach bios
- Hoopedia
 | Top 5 of Inside No. 1 EJ, Chuck, and Kenny talk to a U.S. Marine live from Afghanistan on Thanksgiving Day. |
 | Top 5 of Inside No. 2 When Chuck was on Jay Leno's show he vowed to lose 50 pounds. Will he do it? |
 | Top 5 of Inside No. 3 Kenny and Chuck debate whether or not A.I. is really retired and what is keeping him off a roster. |
 | Top 5 of Inside No. 4 After what happened with Marv and 50 Cent, now Wayne Newton apparently has a beef with Chuck. |
 | Top 5 of Inside No. 5 Kenny messes with Charles' chair since he was late on the set and the crew looks ahead to next week. |
 | Bulls vs. Jazz Carlos Boozer scores 28 points on 12-for-14 shooting to help the Jazz defeat the Bulls 105-86. |
 | The Daily Zap We'll take you quickly around the league on a two-game Thursday night with our Daily Zap. |
 | Thursday's Top 5 Five of the best plays from Thursday night. |
 | Nightly Notable Dwight Howard scores 22 points and grabs17 rebounds to help the Magic defeat the Hawks. |
 | Dunk of the Night Orlando's Dwight Howard takes the feed from Anthony Johnson and finishes with a two-hand dunk. |
NBA.com is part of the Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network