NBA stars are used to having celebrities sitting courtside, especially in Los Angeles. It’s the City of Stars after all. However, there only have been an elite few ‘select’ people who leave these players awestruck. Tonight, the spectators’ eyes were graced with a James Harden masterclass. In addition, they also saw former POTUS and major hoop enthusiast Barack Obama attend the LA Clippers’ game against the Detroit Pistons. The packed and brand-new shiny Intuit Dome arena rose to its feet, felicitating him with roaring applause.

Without a spec of doubt, it is safe to assume that everyone was glad to have Barack Obama in the building. The Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue is particularly fond of the 63-year-old. Referring to him as “Mr. Obama” Lue has been holding his excitement since last week!

“I mean, it makes a lot sweeter, you know. We’re having President Obama! I’m coming to the game when Mr. Obama told me that last week very excited. So young kid come from Mexico Missouri to having a president you know you’re on a first name basis feels really good,” Lue (in awe) respectfully said after the game.

Barack Obama didn’t just bring radiating energy. His presence inspired a great performance by the Clippers. In particular, James Harden.

It was in 2019 that the NBA crowd last witnessed The Beard score 50 points… At the time, though, this was considered a regularity. The former MVP had the formula to score the ball, and his team’s success hinged completely on his expert ability to make things happen. Since then, his roles have changed, putting far less emphasis on putting the ball in the basket…

But with Barack Obama in the crowd, The Beard surely felt it was time to rewind the clock. And Ty Lue had a request for Steve Ballmer as he saw that happen. “Get him here for 20 more games,” the head coach sarcastically said.

James Harden predicts a Kyrie Irving bounce-back!

It was a throwback sort of day for James Harden. In the first quarter itself, a mix of stepbacks and stunning dribbles saw him score 23 points. Then he took charge in the fourth quarter, smiling, as he went to the free-throw line to trot to his 24th career 50-point game, placing him within one of Kobe for 3rd-most in NBA history! This stat truly puts into perspective how elite Harden’s scoring acumen is.

Harden, too, admitted to having Barack Obama motivated him to do something special. “We got a pretty cool relationship. We met a few times. So, it’s pretty cool to see him at the game was probably the reason why you know I played so well,” The Beard admitted.

But James Harden also had other things on his mind. Notably, his former teammate and great friend Kyrie Irving suffered a season-ending ACL injury. The Beard sympathized with KAI. They may not have spent a long time as teammates, but the former Rockets star is confident that the injury will bring the best out of Irving once he does return.

“He’s tough, like he’s one of the most tough-minded people I’ve ever you know come across and met and been close to. So I’ll reach out to him and send him up some prayers. But I know he’ll come back stronger than ever,” Harden said in his praise for Irving.

KAI too is approaching the injury in the same way. It looked as if he mumbled “Thank you god” after he courageously made both his free throws after the injury. It’s sure that as far as mental strength is concerned, there are very few as capable as Kyrie Irving… And not only James Harden, but many around the NBA are hoping his return is as swift and quick as possible.