LeBron James and his teammates made a stylish entrance at the White House for a ceremony honoring their NBA Finals triumph from the previous year.

The Miami Heat secured their championship by defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder in a series where they triumphed in four games to Thunder’s one.

LeBron James, a crowd favorite who earned the Finals’ Most Valuable Player award, stood notably taller than President Obama during the celebratory event. Several players, including James, had previously met the President when they played basketball with him on his 49th birthday in 2010.

Known for his Chicago Bulls fandom, Obama humorously remarked on the occasion, jesting, “Now I’m not trying to take all the credit, coach, but it’s clear that going up against me prepared them to take on Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. It sharpened their skills. It gave them the competitive edge that they needed. And I think part of the reason they came back today is they want another shot at the old guy.”

However, Obama also offered heartfelt congratulations to the team, acknowledging their journey to success. “This team has traveled a long road to get to where they are,” he noted, reflecting on their NBA Finals loss in 2011 against the Dallas Mavericks. “When you fall, the real test is whether you can ignore the naysayers, pick yourself up, and come back stronger. And that’s true in basketball, but it’s also true in life.”

Obama praised the players for their dedication to fatherhood off the court, underscoring their roles as exemplary figures for young boys across America. Despite having met Obama before, James seemed slightly overwhelmed by the occasion, murmuring, “Am I supposed to say something?” as he presented the President with a basketball signed by the team.

“We’re in the White House right now,” James exclaimed. “This is like, ‘Mama, I made it!'”