Barack Obama neutral on NBA Finals, rooting for Blackhawks

WASHINGTON -- The avid sports fan who occupies the Oval Office is refusing to take sides as the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors battle for the NBA championship.

President Barack Obama told the entertainment news show "Extra" that both teams are playing incredible basketball.

He saidLeBron James is playing "unbelievably" for Cleveland and that he thinks Golden State'sStephen Currywill "pick it back up" after a "couple of bad games."

Obama was interviewed at the White House on Thursday, before Game 4 in the best-of-seven series. The Warriors won 103-82 to even the series at two games apiece.

The former senator from Illinois is taking a stand on the NHL's Stanley Cup, however. He wants the Chicago Blackhawks to win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. That series is tied 2-2.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.