WASHINGTON -- Saying they had touched him in a powerful and personal way, President Barack Obama awarded the nations highest civilian honor to 21 groundbreaking actors, musicians, athletes and others during a ceremony on Tuesday at the White House.These are folks who have helped make me who I am, Obama said as the celebration concluded in the White House East Room.The awards had a major sports component, with Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Vin Scully among those recognized with the highest American civilian honor.That led to plenty of sports moments at Tuesdays ceremony, including Obama noting that MJ is more than just a logo. Hes more than just an internet meme. Fittingly, Jordan was crying as Obama made the comment.There is a reason you call somebody the Michael Jordan of, Obama said. The Michael Jordan of neurosurgery or the Michael Jordan of rabbis or the Michael Jordan of outrigger canoeing. Everyone knows what youre talking about.The president also had an eloquent description of Scully, saying, You hear the crack of the bat. Youve got the crowd singing in the seventh-inning stretch. And youve got the voice of Vin Scully.Among those also getting the Presidential Medal of Freedom were actors Tom Hanks, Robert De Niro, Robert Redford and Cicely Tyson.Bruce Springsteen and Diana Ross were recognized for their music.Other honorees included philanthropists Bill and Melinda Gates and comedian Ellen DeGeneres.Obama said the people receiving the medal helped push America forward and inspired millions around the world.?The White House said the president and his staff spend time considering a variety of candidates for the award, but ultimately, its the presidents decision.The award recognizes especially meritorious contributions to the national interests of the United States, to its culture or to other significant endeavors.Posthumous honors went to Native American advocate Elouise Cobell and Rear Adm. Grace Hopper.Others receiving the award included: Richard Garwin, an inventor and polymath physicist who made pioneering contributions to the nations defense; Frank Gehry, one of the worlds leading architects; Margaret H. Hamilton, a mathematician and computer scientist; Maya Lin, the designer of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial; Lorne Michaels, producer of Saturday Night Live; Newton Minow, a former Federal Communications Commission chairman devoted to numerous public and charitable causes; and Eduardo Padron, president of Miami Dade College.Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. Cheap Jerseys Authentic . NBA officials ruled the court unplayable in the Bucks final exhibition game on Oct. 25 because players were slipping, and the game was cancelled midway through the first period. 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Chandler Parsons anticipates being booed in his first game at the American Airlines Center since leaving the Dallas Mavericks in free agency.But Parsons, whose Memphis Grizzlies play in Dallas on Friday night, believes Mavs fans would have ridiculously flawed logic if they do boo him.Parsons has been bombarded with negative feedback from Mavs fans on social media since signing a four-year, $94 million maximum contract with Memphis in July. Critics have focused on his injury issues -- both of his seasons in Dallas ended prematurely due to surgeries on his right knee -- and accused him of stealing money from Dirk Nowitzki, who took a hometown discount to give the Mavs salary-cap space that ended up being used to pay Parsons.Houston, I get it. I said some stupid stuff on the way out of Houston [after three seasons], Parsons told ESPN, referring to the boos he gets from Houston Rockets fans every time he returns to the Toyota Center as a visitor. Dallas, I dont understand. Its like getting mad at somebody for getting in a car wreck and breaking their arm. Like, how in the world can you be mad at somebody for getting hurt? It makes no sense. Thats just so wrong to get mad at somebody for getting hurt, like they want to go through the rehab, want to go through the pain, want to go through the misery of not playing.ddddddddddddI can never understand that aspect of it.So when it comes to Dallas, youre going to get mad at me because Dirk decided to take less money to bring in a really good player and then unfortunately he gets hurt? Thats why youre mad? Sure, boo.Due primarily to concerns about his knee, Dallas did not make Parsons an offer after he declined to exercise his player option, which would have paid him $16 million this season. Parsons told ESPN he would have taken a lot less than the maximum to re-sign with the Mavs, but hes happy he ended up going to the Grizzlies.I think its a perfect situation for me, said Parsons, who missed the first six games after his rehab extended into the regular season and is trying to work his way into a groove while under a strict minutes restriction. I see so much potential that I can add to this team. It just kind of solidifies that I made the right decision. ' ' '