White House goes Green

Champion Celtics meet the president

President George W. Bush was presented with his own Celtics jersey and basketball as the 2008 NBA champs were honored at the White House for last season's title run. (Lawrence Jackson/Associated Press)

WASHINGTON - President George W. Bush paid tribute to the coaching of Doc Rivers and the Celtics' sense of team play during a 10-minute ceremony yesterday at the White House, commemorating the team's 17th NBA championship.

"So, Celtic pride is back," Bush said before a crowd of about 250, including Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont, in the East Room.

Bush spoke from a podium standing next to the NBA championship trophy, named for former Democratic National Committee chairman Lawrence O'Brien, the scene framed by portraits of George and Martha Washington.

Bush opened by referring to the importance of teamwork, then mixed in jokes, including a self-deprecating reference to his days as owner of the Texas Rangers, and afterward was presented with a basketball autographed by the team and a No. 43 Celtics jersey.

Bush reviewed how the Celtics had acquired Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett to join Paul Pierce and Co. during the offseason, and said "a huge Celtics fan" friend asked him, "Why don't you call it the 'Boston Three Party'? I said, because it took a team to win. And I welcome the Boston Celtics team that has brought great pride to the Boston area. You know, I was telling them, I went to school up there [Yale]. And those were the days when the Celtics were awesome. And there was a little bit of a drought, but sure enough, that drought ended - with the NBA championship. And I welcome you all to the White House as NBA champs."

Most of the team took a tour of the White House. Sam Cassell, Eddie House, and James Posey were missing because of personal reasons, according to director of media relations Jeff Twiss.

Bush recalled meeting Rivers, saying, "I know him somewhat; he's a good man. He brought character to the clubhouse, he brought unity to the team, and he helped bring the championship back to Boston."

Rivers said he met Bush while playing a game in San Antonio in the 1990s.

"I had contact with him, but I didn't know he would remember me," Rivers said. "When I was with the Spurs, he was in the front row - he was the governor of Texas - and I introduced myself and shook his hand. At the time, it was a good experience for me."

Asked about his political preferences, Rivers replied: "When you meet the president, you meet the president. You are not a Democrat or Republican when you come into this building, and that's the way it should be."

"I do want to say congratulations to the owners," Bush said. "You might recall I was an owner of a baseball team, and never knew what this felt like."

Bush's take on Celtics general manager Danny Ainge's moves last offseason: "He figured out the need to bring maybe some new blood - or some old new blood. Well, older new blood. And, of course, you know, the famous trades were made [for Garnett and Allen]. And these guys are awesome players. But Danny Ainge would be the first to tell you - by the way, the NBA Executive of the Year would be the first to tell you - it takes an entire team to win a championship. You bet these two people were awesome additions to the team, but it required a bunch of people playing together for the common good to win. And that's what Doc Rivers did."

Bush addressed Leahy, saying, "I don't think we've had this many fans since St. Patrick's Day, Senator," referring to the presence of dozens of members of the Massachusetts legislative delegations and government workers.

The Celtics' six-game victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in the Finals reminded Bush of the teams' battles of the past.

"For baby boomers like me," Bush said, "that was a reminder of a great basketball rivalry. So, Boston fans were screaming, 'Beat LA!' at the top of their lungs, and that's exactly what this team did in six hard-fought games. If you're a basketball fan or a sports fan, it was really awesome to watch, wasn't it?

"It is safe to say that everybody on this team contributed to the championship. You know, not enough focus has been put on, until the end, the depth of the bench on the Boston Celtics. They had a lot of players come off the bench to make a huge difference, and although the three big names, three great NBA players, were there, the real strength was the depth of the roster, I think. And I think most of the basketball experts will tell you that's the case. So I congratulate all of you for contributing to something that was very important. We'll remember your stifling defense, we'll remember your sharpshooting, we'll remember the way you played together as a unit, as a team."

Bush concluded by referring to "Ubuntu," the Celtics' huddle-breaking signal.

"I appreciate very much the use of the word 'Ubuntu.' I've been looking forward to saying that with a Texas accent," Bush said. "Ubuntu! I wish you all the very best for next season. Should you win it, you all can find me in Texas."

Pierce, who visited the White House as a member of the Kansas University team, began his talk by saying he was "a little nervous." Afterward, he said: "I was more nervous right here today [than during the playoffs]. It's not every day you get to come to the White House and meet the president. My hands were sweaty. I've never been that close to the president."

Pierce told Bush: "We just want to say it's truly an honor to be here in your house today. And on behalf of the Celtics' organization, we'd like to thank you. And from what I hear, you played a little high school basketball yourself. So we're going to honor you with a basketball signed from our team. And a Celtic jersey with a 43 on it - even though that's Kendrick Perkins's number. And he's from Texas. So that's why we gave you 43. No, but for real, in honor for you being the 43d president."

Bush then bounced the ball once and shook hands with the team and coaches.

"We started the season at the Vatican," Rivers said, referring to the preseason training camp in Rome, "and we end up at the White House."

Frank Dell'Apa can be reached at f_dellapa@globe.com.