In the Paint

If LeBron James isn't sure he can win in Cleveland, President Obama thinks there's an opportunity in his hometown.

"I don't want to meddle," Obama told TNT. "I will say this: [Derrick] Rose, Joakim Noah, it's a pretty good core. You know, you could see LeBron fitting in pretty well there."

Obama was interviewed about a number of basketball subjects by broadcaster Marv Albert on the White House basketball court. The interview will be shown at 8 p.m. Tuesday.

James can become a free agent this summer, and his decision on whether to leave the Cavs is a hot topic.

Obama compared James' situation to the Bulls not winning until Michael Jordan had confidence in coach Phil Jackson, as well as Scottie Pippen and the rest of his teammates. Once that happened, Chicago won six NBA championships in the 1990s.

"It wasn't until you got that framework around you that you could be a champion," Obama said.

"Same thing happened with Kobe [Bryant]. . . . He's gotten that sense of a team around him and I think LeBron hasn't quite been able to get that yet."

The 76ers will formally introduce Doug Collins as their coach at a Wachovia Center news conference Monday at noon. Collins signed a four-year contract.
- Staff and wire reports