Former Lakers Shaquille O’Neal and James Worthy bracketed another celebrity among the virtual attendees in Game 1 of The Finals: Former President Barack Obama.
The president’s running point. I’m open @BarackObama 🏀 https://t.co/glJ5VkIkNI
— James Worthy (@JamesWorthy42) October 1, 2020
Barack Obama, Shaquille O'Neal, James Worthy, Dwyane Wade, Paul Pierce, Pau Gasol and Robert Horry.
That's a former president and six NBA champions in one small part of the virtual fan section for Game 1. #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/hpmoEidjky
— USA TODAY NBA (@usatodaynba) October 1, 2020
No fans are in attendance at The Finals, but the league is using video technology as throughout the seeding games and playoffs to give a simulated-audience feel to the games on the NBA campus in Orlando.
Obama, who plays the game and has a deft left-handed jumper, is a big fan of the NBA. He later revealed attending Game 1 alongside poll workers from More Than a Vote, and implored the American public to act in the upcoming Nov. 3 general election.
ICYMI – @BarackObama joined a group of NBA Champions and first-time poll workers from @MoreThanAVote during #NBAFinals Game 1 to highlight the importance of voting. Don’t wait, make your voting plan and sign up to work the polls today at https://t.co/RzbxxkFmLa pic.twitter.com/lFQLfcuEG3
— NBA (@NBA) October 1, 2020