LeBron James, Lakers meet Bill Clinton after game in Brooklyn

Jeff Zillgitt

USA TODAY

NEW YORK — Former President Bill Clinton sat courtside Thursday night and watched the Los Angeles Lakers defeat the Brooklyn Nets 128-113.

After the game, Lakers players and coaches, including LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Frank Vogel and Jason Kidd, walked across the court to say hello to Clinton, who is a basketball fan and known to attend Nets games.

James, who recorded his 91st career triple-double with 27 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists, said he has met Clinton previously but does not have any relationship with him. And, even as famous as James is, he's still in awe of some people.

"Between him and Barack (Obama), my presidents, guys that I’ve just admired, when Bill was in office and obviously when Barack in office," James said. "To be able to have a personal relationship with Barack and being able to go up to Bill and he knows me, it’s just surreal.

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"I know you all get sick and tired of hearing about the kid from Akron, you have no idea where I come from and the odds that were stacked up against me, to have moments where I can shake the President of the United States’ hand and be on a first-name basis, it’s crazy."

With his 27 points, James is now 18 from passing Lakers great Kobe Bryant for third on the NBA’s all-time scoring list and is likely to do it Saturday against the 76ers in Bryant’s hometown of Philadelphia.