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Obama fetes Lakers at Boys & Girls Club

U.S. President Barack Obama (L) talks with Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers while filling care packages during an NBA Cares service event at the Boys and Girls Club at THEARC, Dec. 13, 2010 in Washington. Bryant and all the members of the 2010 NBA Championship Lakers team volunteered on projects at the club before being honored by the president for their victory. UPI/Chip Somodevilla/Pool
1 of 4 | U.S. President Barack Obama (L) talks with Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers while filling care packages during an NBA Cares service event at the Boys and Girls Club at THEARC, Dec. 13, 2010 in Washington. Bryant and all the members of the 2010 NBA Championship Lakers team volunteered on projects at the club before being honored by the president for their victory. UPI/Chip Somodevilla/Pool | License Photo

WASHINGTON, Dec. 13 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama congratulated the NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers at a Washington Boys and Girls Club Monday.

Rather than greeting the champs in the White House, as is the tradition for such events, Obama said, "I thought we'd change things up a little bit," adding that the Lakers have won the title so often "they could give tours" of the president's residence.

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Instead, Obama honored the team during a visit to the Boys and Girls club, where the children and team members were assembling gift packages for U.S. troops.

"That's the beauty of service," the president said. "Anybody can do it."

Obama praised Coach Phil Jackson for wining his 11th career championship and gave a bear hug to star forward Kobe Bryant.

The president, a Chicago Bulls fan, reminisced that Jackson won six of his championships with the Bulls of the Michael Jordan era, noting it was one fewer than his five with the Lakers.

"Not for long!" Bryant interjected.

The Lakers have won 16 NBA championships.

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