Presidential Hoops

— -- Here in the birthplace of basketball, where Dr. James Naismith invented a wholly American sport that's gone global, there's reason to be happy for hoops these days.

One almost certain result of this year's presidential contest will be an elevation of basketball by our new leaders.

Talk about change: The Bush years have been baseball years -- complete with T-ball on the White House lawn, and a president who once owned a Major League team.

In 2008, both tickets have genuine hoops players, and even real hoops nicknames: It's Barry O'Bomber vs. Sarah Barracuda.

(For the record, the "GMA" crew was shamed on the court by some local high-school students, in a free-throw shooting contest near the train station.)