Washington, DC -- (Sports Network) - President George W. Bush welcomed the NBA champion Boston Celtics to the White House on Friday to celebrate the team's 17th NBA championship.

Bush spoke highly of NBA Finals MVP Paul Pierce, who led the Celtics to their six-game victory over the Los Angeles Lakers despite a knee injury.

"Despite his knee injury early in the series, this team's captain Paul Pierce played with courage," said Bush. "You know, leadership comes in all different kinds of ways. Playing hurt in a championship game is the ultimate sign of leadership. And that's why he won the MVP honors for the NBA finals. And that's why the league calls him "The Truth." This team calls him the captain."

Pierce and the Celtics presented Bush with a Celtic jersey with the number 43 on it, because Bush is the 43rd President, and a $100,000 check for Red Cross relief for victims of Hurricane Ike.