Barack Obama appears as virtual fan in NBA Finals Game 1

Virtual fans including former US president Barack Obama, NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal along with other former NBA players during Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)

MANILA, Philippines—Former United States President Barack Obama joined the NBA’s virtual fan section in the first quarter of Game 1 between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami Heat on Thursday.

The 44th President of the US took his time to speak and surprise the 40 first-time poll workers that included former NBA champions and fans.

“I am not the main event tonight, but I want to give a shoutout to all the folks who are volunteering as poll workers in the upcoming election,” said Obama in a video he posted to Twitter in cooperation with More Than a Vote.

“It can be a thankless job, it’s not one of those things that you think about but it is absolutely vital for our democracy and I appreciate you and hopefully all NBA fans will appreciate you when they see those shorter lines at the polling places.”

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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, Bill Walton, Clyde Drexler, Dirk Nowitzki, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, James Worthy, Manu Ginobili, Pau Gasol, Dwyane Wade, Robert Parish, Robert Horry, and Chauncey Billups were the champions who joined Obama in the virtual fan section.

More Than a Vote, meanwhile, identified the fans who got to join Obama and the NBA champions in the online platform.

We see you Mr President. Thank you!!! @Morethanavote #Blacklivesmatter https://t.co/4qqpVDgcto

— LeBron James (@KingJames) October 1, 2020

“Democracy doesn’t work if just a few people do it, it’s like playing with half the team,” said Obama. “But it’s only that way if people aren’t participating. If people get involved, then we get the best of it and that’s what I’m hoping that’s gonna happen.”

The Lakers won game 1, 116-98.