Former President Barack Obama walked …

Former President Barack Obama walked into a small, cordoned off section of Wintrust Arena for an NBA Cares service event and received a familiar greeting as cheers, smiles and outstretched hands surrounded him. Every person in attendance was prepped in advance of Obama’s arrival. Security detail swept the space and cameras were fixed prior to his entrance. Obama had done his homework, too. He worked the room and dropped stats and sports references, bonding with players, coaches and children on hand for the event.