Jason Kidd and his teammates swapped out their uniforms for suits and ties on Monday when the team made a pit stop in the nation’s capital on their first road trip of the season, for an honorary tour of the White House.


Jason and the Mavs visited Washington D.C. on Monday to be honored at the White House, a customary gesture toward the World Champs (Getty Images).

The tour, which included a meet and greet with President Obama and a special ceremony honoring the Mavs, is usually requisite for the team that takes home the championship. But it almost didn’t come to fruition this year for Dallas. With the team’s season shortened by the lockout, the Mavericks had no games scheduled in the D.C. area, so owner Mark Cuban circumvented the NBA and scheduled the championship trip himself.

But the snub was forgotten once the team arrived at the White House. After some pleasantries, Obama began the press conference in the White House’s East Room.

"Last season, they called themselves the ‘Bad News Bears’ because from the very beginning, nobody gave them much of a chance," The President said. "But these players got it done because they know how good teams win — not just by jumping higher or running faster — but by finding the open man, working together, staying mentally tough, being supportive of each other, playing smarter. This team really does have a heart that’s the size of Texas. It’s been a remarkable run."

 

President Obama also praised the team for its gutsy performance in knocking off the younger, explosive Miami Heat in the Finals and even light-heartedly ribbed J-Kidd.

"People said that Jason Kidd was too old, but I will say…this is the first time I’ve been with some world champions who are my contemporaries," he joked.

Dirk Nowitzki presented the president with a Mavs jersey while J-Kidd gave him a gold ball signed by the team. Jason was all smiles during the visit, though still visibly pained by the back spasms he sustained in the game against San Antonio last week.

NEXT UP
Following Monday’s sojourn to the White House, the Mavs were off to Detroit on to square off against the Pistons, sans J-Kidd, who will return to Dallas to continue his rehab program.

Jason hopes the time off will allow him to return to the hardwood for Friday’s contest at home against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Meanwhile, the Mavs (4-5) are looking to break even on the season with a win in Detroit. A Tuesday night victory would also snap the team’s three-game losing streak on the road. Tipoff between the Mavs and the Pistons is scheduled for 6:30 PM CST and the game can be seen on Fox Sports Southwest.

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