Washington, DC (Sports Network) - The Miami Heat visited the nation's capital on Monday, where President Barack Obama congratulated them on their NBA Championship won this past June.
The Heat, who also visited the White House in 2007 after defeating the Dallas Mavericks in the 2006 NBA Finals, took down the Oklahoma City Thunder in five games.
It was the first championship for three-time NBA MVP LeBron James and the second for guard Dwyane Wade. In capturing the title in 2012, Miami hoisted the Larry O'Brien Trophy for the second time in franchise history.
"I have to congratulate the Heat on their well-earned title. This team traveled a long road to get to where they are. In 2011, the Heat got all the way to the finals only to come up short," Obama said. But 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. That's exactly what these guys did."
James presented Obama with a basketball autographed by the team.
The Heat will take on the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday at Barclays Center.
