From Sam Gardner of FoxSports Florida.com (click on link for video):
On Tuesday — one day after NBA commissioner David Stern announced the first two weeks of the season had been axed — Obama was at a fundraiser in Orlando, Fla., along with Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard and president of basketball operations Otis Smith, when the commander in chief offered up a few thoughts on the work stoppage.
“The reason I came here is because I’m trying to resolve the NBA lockout,” Obama said, jokingly, at the beginning of his speech. “So I don’t know who I need to talk to. … I don’t know if you’ve got some clout or who it is, but we need our basketball.” The president, a noted basketball fan who has been known to take up a pickup game or two with his staffers, also went on to say was “a little heartbroken” by the delayed start to the NBA season.
“I had the chance to see Dwight Howard, and Dwight is a great friend, and I told him I’m a little heartbroken that the NBA season is getting delayed here,” Obama said. “So I’m hoping those guys are back on the court soon.”