World - US;Obama's all-star cabinet

Nia-Malika Henderson

President-elect Barack Obama decided to talk a little trash Tuesday. After lauding his choice to lead the department of education and ducking a question about that distracting Illinois scandal, he let go with this:

“I think we are putting together the best basketball playing cabinet in American history,” he said. “And I think that is worth noting.”

Bill Clinton, George W. Bush you got something to say?

Probably not.

Clinton had golf. Bush has his bike. And by all accounts, Obama’s White House sport of choice will be on the hardwood.

While campaigning, playing basketball was a kind of good luck charm for Obama —he played most mornings on primary voting days with some of his Secret Service detail, his body guy, Reggie Love, and his friends from home. On the court, he is said to be quick and wily, preferring a no-blood, no-foul style of play.

So the Team of Rivals? After captain “Barry O’Bomber” – as the president-elect was known in high school —- it looks like this:

Arne Duncan, likely education chief and former co-captain of Harvard's basketball team and Aussie pro, would clog up the lane at center.

Susan Rice, the new United Nations ambassador—star at National Cathedral School , would dish at point.

And General James Jones (doesn’t need a nickname with that title), a former Georgetown forward, will be the new national security adviser/power forward, shaking and baking and breaking down the defense.

But that’s only four. How about Bill Richardson, Tom Daschle, or maybe Paul Volcker — not a Cabinet member, but maybe he could dust-off his Princeton uniform and suit up.