Most of us know that President Barack Obama was a Chicago Bulls fan long before he became the President of the United States so Obama defending his favorite team isn’t all that surprising. Talking trash to Lakers star Kobe Bryant in Washington, D.C. though?!

Now that’s pretty awesome.

The Lakers visited with the President on Monday at a Boys & Girls Club in Washington D.C. and presented him with an autographed replica championship banner just days after the Chicago Bulls defeated the Lakers behind a spectacular performance by Derrick Rose.

Courtesy of ESPN, Obama proceeded to talk some trash to Mr. Bryant:

“Derrick Rose may have your number,” President Obama lightheartedly jabbed at Kobe Bryant as the team posed for a photograph after presenting the president with an autographed replica 2009-10 championship banner, like the one that hangs at Staples Center.

Of course, Obama is referring to Rose torching the Lakers for 29 points, nine assists, and five rebounds in the Bulls’ 88-84 victory over Los Angeles on Friday.

Check out highlights from the recent Bulls vs. Lakers game HERE

Bryant responded, of course, in typical competitive fashion:

Without skipping a beat, Bryant made a similar transition from gracious guest at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington, where the Lakers participated in a series of community service projects, to a proud player protecting his spot at the top of the pecking order.

“I said, ‘If he calls that number, I’ll be sure to pick up after the fifth ring,’” Bryant quipped back — referring, naturally, to the five championship rings he has.

Obama even added fuel to the fire later on by congratulating Lakers Coach Phil Jackson and yet chided him at the same time:

“I want to congratulate coach Phil Jackson on earning his 11th NBA championship ring,” President Obama said. “It was his fifth championship ring with the Lakers, which I should point out is still one behind the six he won with the Chicago Bulls.”

As the president stood on stage with the team behind him, he heard a voice interject, “Not for long.”

“Kobe said, ‘Not for long,’” the president said with a laugh.

President Obama has never hidden his affection for Chicago sports teams and athletes - in 2009 the Los Angeles Times reported that when asked who was better, Kobe or Michael Jordan, Obama never hesitated with his answer of “Oh, Michael!”

Of course, I think most of us would quickly come to that decision as well.

Not only that, this wasn’t the first time he took a little jab at the Bulls-Lakers rivalry regarding Phil Jackson’s title count. From 2009:

And Obama just couldn’t resist slipping in some trash talk when the Los Angeles Lakers visited the White House following their 2008-09 NBA title.

“I’m especially excited to meet Coach Phil Jackson, the ‘Zen Master,’” Obama said. “I’ve been a fan of Coach Jackson’s ever since his days running the triangle offense in Chicago. I want to congratulate him on his 10th NBA title, the most in history, but I do want to point out that six of them came with the Bulls.”

Watch Obama drain a three-pointer in Kuwait HERE

He also famously threw out the first pitch for the Washington Nationals on April 5, 2008 wearing a White Sox cap and played ball this August with a bunch of current NBA stars including Rose, Pau Gasol, and LeBron James.

He hit the game-winner in that scrimmage, by the way.

Once a baller, always a baller, even if you become President of the United States.

While the President has been under fire on the political front lately (what President isn’t?) it’s nice to see that his sense of humor - and trash-talking capabilities - are still alive and well.

I know he has bigger fish to fry but hey, just let the man enjoy some NBA action on TNT once in a while!

I’m sure he could use a heaping dose of Ernie Johnson and company right about now.

Never lose that sweet jumper, Mr. President!