This Democratic Race Is Straight Ballin'

Either the NBA is suddenly so big that it's relevant to presidential politics, or the Democratic race has gotten so petty, it's akin to basketball. You see what you want. Either way, it's pretty amazing that Time's latest issue will boast this cover, unapologetically "inspired by the 2008 NBA Playoff ad campaign." Expect one or both of the candidates to follow soon with their own "where amazing happens"-inspired television spots.

I know that football is the official sport of the bitter, honest American, but as an NBA die-hard, I love that basketball has figured so prominently in this campaign. You have Obama saying he's rather be Dr. J than president, comparing Hillary to a crappy Eastern Conference team (ouch!), and promising to put a court in the White House. Not to mention appearing on a Real Sports segment all about the role hoops have played in his life.

Just wait till Indiana, when Hillary starts comparing herself to Hoosiers and saying that, while Obama can dunk, her set shot is off the chain.

This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.