Barack Obama shows he's game by kicking back with a beer and some basketball

After a week of plunging shares, job cuts and news that his economy is shrinking faster than wool in a washing machine, it's no wonder Barack Obama fancied a little downtime this weekend.

The U.S. president headed to his local stadium in Washington last night to watch a game of his beloved basketball.



The leader of the free world joined his Chicago-based friend Martin Nesbitt to watch the Washington Wizards and Chicago Bulls at the Verizon Centre.

Big draw: U.S. President Barack Obama attracts the attention of his fellow basketball fans at the Verizon Centre in Washington last night

The two men sat courtside and with Mr Obama dressed down in a black jacket and dark sweater he looked like any other fan enjoying a game - apart from the swarm of photographers at his feet and the scores of people who wanted to say hello and shake his hand.

Face to face: Mr Obama greets fan Miles Rawls who is wearing a commemorative Barack Obama shirt

Good sport: The president, a Bulls fan, high-fives five-year-old Wizards fan Nick Aiello

The president, who plays basketball himself, chatted with fans of all ages and even put up with the jibes and banter from surrounding Wizards fans.

R&R: The president watches the action and sips on a beer

And, like any other man enjoying the game on a Friday night, he took some time out to sup on a beer.

And it must have been a welcome drink after the week that he has had.

Fun and games: Mr Obama gets a high-five from Mr Rawls during the game

Yesterday, shares across the world plummeted after news the U.S. economy contracted 6.2 per cent at the end of last year.

The Commerce Department report showed the biggest GDP drop in 25 years and far worse than previous government estimates of 3.8 per cent.



To jolt the economy, Mr Obama recently signed a recovery package of increased government spending and tax cuts but admitted it would plunge America into £1.2trillion worth of debt - its biggest national debt since the Second World War.

Plus he pledged to bring all troops home from Iraq by August 2010.

And if that wasn't enough - the Wizards beat the Bulls 113-90.













