In case you need a reminder that pro athletes’ lives are crazier than we’ll ever know, here’s an excerpt from Shaq’s new book that describes the scene between the Celtics and the President of the United States at a dinner last season. As the Big Aristotle remembers it:
Even Barack Obama Thinks Rajon Rondo Needs A Better Jumper
In early March some of the guys went to the museum of Fine Arts for a fund-raiser and got to hang with President Barack Obama. Everyone was a little bit in awe. The President turns to Ray, points at Rondo, and says, “Hey, Ray, why don’t you teach this kid how to shoot?” Everyone starts laughing.
KG told me he saw the look on Rondo’s face and the kid was devastated, embarrassed. Dissed by the President, even though I’m sure Obama didn’t mean any harm. Rondo smiled and went along with all of it, but KG told me he could see it in his eyes.
[...]
The next day Rondo shot the ball horribly. He stopped taking shots after that. He’s so sensitive. I think it was a real jolt to hear the outside perception of a basketball fan who happens to be the President of the United States. It messed with his mind. I’m sure of it.
The downside of having the insane life of a pro athlete? Sometimes that leads to the President of the United States making fun of your game. A “real jolt”, indeed. Poor Rajon Rondo.
But yo. Barack, man. People in glass houses...
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