Golden State Warriors, from left, Andre Iguodala (9), Kevin Durant (35) and Stephen Curry (30) wait during a called foul during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016, in Oakland, Calif. AP PHOTO
WASHINGTON—US President Barack Obama still believes in the Golden State Warriors, tipping them to claim the NBA title this season despite a sluggish start to their campaign.
In a telephone interview on Friday on Sirius XM radio’s “Sway in the Morning” program, Obama predicted the addition of former NBA Most Valuable Player Kevin Durant would push the Warriors over the top a year after they fell to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the championship series.
“I’m going to go with the Warriors just because of Durant, that addition. I think they just have too much firepower,” Obama said, although he noted their 129-100 loss to the San Antonio Spurs in their season-opener on Tuesday.
READ: NBA: Spurs thrash Warriors on Durant’s opening night
“They just got spanked in their first game, so it will take a while to figure things out.”
Asked for a Super Bowl prediction, Obama touted superstar quarterback Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.
READ: NFL: Brady returns as Patriot seek bounce back
“At this point, you’d have to put your money on Brady again. I don’t see any real strong teams.”
He predicted the Pats would meet Seattle in a rematch of their Super Bowl showdown to cap the 2014 season.
“That’s my call,” the president said.