If you ask the crowds at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada, the MVP at Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Sunday wasn’t anyone on the court. Instead, it was former U.S. President Barack Obama. After Obama was shown on the big screen during the second quarter, fans didn’t just chant “MVP! MVP!” but rose and gave him a standing ovation.
The former president, who sat next to NBA commissioner Adam Silver during the game, stood during the crowd’s standing ovation.
Here’s a clip that showcases his expression, which shows genuine surprise and sincerity at the crowd’s attention.
Here’s the view from further out:
Those in the arena weren’t the only ones wooed by Obama’s presence Sunday night. People on social media pretty much lost it over how cool and sleek the former president appeared. Walking through the arena beside the Raptors’ president and general manager, Masai Ujiri, for example, Obama wore a black leather jacket and oozed his quintessential cool.
All of this is in contrast, of course, to our current president, Donald Trump. Trump was greeted by protests (which are likely to continue) when he entered the United Kingdom for his three-day state visit. For context, this trip is timed to happen just before D-Day.
The Trumps, apparently, aren’t staying in Buckingham Palace. Allegedly, this is because of a “massive” renovation, but it certainly seems ... unusual that not a single room would be available. It’s also worth remembering that, in contrast, Barack Obama stayed at Buckingham Palace during his presidency.
Obama is greeted as an MVP, and Trump is (as usual) widely protested and mocked. Sad!