As President Barack Obama’s days in the Oval Office wind down, the time for retrospection is becoming more common. Bill Simmons spent some time talking with Obama for GQ about his work in the last few years, all the shortcomings and triumphs he’s had as president, and of course -- because it’s Bill Simmons -- sports. Here’s what we learned:
President Obama doesn’t mind making mistakes, because Michael Jordan made mistakes
Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
1. Obama’s temperament is a lot like Gregg Popovich’s. Or perhaps a little bit like Aaron Rodgers’:
Simmons: Was there a point in those first three years where you started to feel overwhelmed by the job? Where you were just like, “My God, I just had no idea this was going to be this hard!”
Obama: I had a pretty good handle. One thing I learned during the campaign was that I’ve got a good temperament. I don’t get too high and I don’t get too low. I’m able to stay focused even when there’s a lot of stuff going on around me.
Simmons: So you’re like Gregg Popovich. Although he does get mad at sideline reporters.
Obama: He does. So do I. [laughs] Yeah. Or maybe [Aaron] Rodgers in the pocket, in the sense of you can’t be distracted by what’s around you, you’ve got to be looking downfield.
2. Obama is alright when he doesn’t “perform flawlessly,” because Michael Jordan was also pretty bad at times:
Obama: But a thing that you’re reminded of, watching those old Bulls games, is Jordan had some stinker games in the playoffs. But he would get that out of his mind, and then the next moment comes and he’s right there. He could have a terrible game for the first three quarters and then suddenly go crazy the fourth. Or he might miss a free throw, and then the next play is he’s stealing the ball and hitting the game-winning shot. Part of what I try to do — not at the level that Jordan did on the basketball court, but part of what you aspire to as president or any of these positions of leadership — is to try to figure out how to be in the moment, make the best decision you can, know that you’re going to get a bunch of them right, but a bunch of times you’re also not going to get it exactly the way you want it.
3. Obama believes Derrick Rose has more life left in him than Jay Cutler:
Simmons: Who’s more untradable, Derrick Rose or Jay Cutler?
Obama: [pause] Oh, I think Rose still has more upside. Remember, Rose is still awfully young.
Simmons: So you haven’t given up on Rose?
Obama: I’ve not given up on him. Sadly, I think it’s hard to imagine, after that many injuries, him getting back to his MVP-season performance. But he can still be a top-ten point guard.
The whole GQ interview is worth a read, which includes quips about family, fantasizing about being part-owner of an NBA team, and confirming that the White House has a virtual driving range. Because when you’re president, you can have a virtual driving range.
