After Simmons compared Obama's fame to that of fellow Harvard graduate Jeremy Lin, the President said that, while Lin's a talented player, he doesn't think he or the Knicks pose a huge threat to the Chicago Bulls' chances at winning the NBA championships this year.

"I'm not worried," Obama said during their conversation from the White House. "If you look at what has been happening with the Bulls, even with [Derrick] Rose out, even with [Luol] Deng out, they've still got one of the best records in the league. That is a well-coached team."

The President explained to Simmons that, despite his busy schedule, he manages to squeeze in time to watch basketball in the evenings, after Michelle and his daughters have gone to sleep. He also teased Simmons, who is from Boston, thanking him for Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau, who previously worked for the Celtics.

When Simmons asked Obama how he felt about welcoming other teams to the White House to celebrate their championship wins, Obama said he felt confident he would get to invite the Bulls to Washington, D.C. before leaving office.

"It hasn't happened, but it will happen," Obama said. "Somewhere along the line, my Bulls are going to come through."