Watch President Obama welcome the Miami Heat to the White House

President Obama met with the Miami Heat at the White House on Monday to honor them for winning the 2012 NBA title.

Obama first had a little fun, saying it was an impromptu on-court session with some of the Heat players a couple of years ago that led to them winning the title.

“I know this is the first trip for some of these players, but a few of them were here a couple of years ago for a pickup game on my birthday,” Obama said.

“Now, I’m not trying to take all the credit, Coach, but I think that 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.”

The president also thanked the Heat for supporting military service members at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Obama also said one of the things he’s proudest of is that many of the team members -- including LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade -- “take their roles as fathers seriously.”

“For all the young men out there who are looking up to them over time, for them to see somebody who cares about their kids and is there for them, day in, day out, that’s a good message to send,” Obama said.

James presented Obama with an autographed basketball.

“We’re in the White House right now, which is like, like ‘Mama, I made it,’” James said.

The meeting concluded with Wade saying there is a spot open on the team for the president.

“All I’ve got to say is we’ve got a 10-day contract left?” Wade said. “Pick my man up.”

To which the president responded, “You guys could use a shooter.”

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