President Obama honors LeBron, NBA Champions Miami Heat

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is honoring the Miami Heat for winning the 2012 NBA Championship title after falling short just a year before.

Obama says every member “doing their part” is what put the Heat over the top, as he welcomed the team to the White House Monday to celebrate their victory. The Heat defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder in five games in the NBA Finals last June.

The president also recognized the franchise for supporting military service members and said he was proud that many of them including LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade “take their roles as fathers seriously.”

The crowd of well-wishers included actress Gabrielle Union, U.N. ambassador Susan Rice and U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan. The Heat last visited the White House after winning in 2006.