Days after delivering his State of the Union address, President Obama called on the mayors from big cities across the country to help carry out the issues he outlined in his speech and adopt what he describes as "middle class economics."

Before addressing the annual conference, President Obama received a warm and hearty introduction from Sacramento Mayor and former NBA all-star Kevin Johnson. After playing the song that the Chicago Bulls used during team introductions back in the 1990s, the former Phoenix Suns point guard imitated a sports announcer to introduce Obama, who is a huge Bulls fan.

"Standing 6'1", 180 pounds, southpaw, from Columbia University, the Punahou High School, the point guard of Pennsylvania Avenue, the 44th president of the United States of America, Barack Obama!" Johnson boomed, reports The Hill.

In response, Obama approached the podium with a wide grin and cracked a joke with Johnson, who lost to the Bulls while he was playing on the Suns during the 1993 NBA Finals.

"I would have thought that would bring back bad memories for Kevin, playing that song," Obama said.

"I want to thank Kevin for that introduction. I want to say that introduction is longer than my remarks, and more exciting, so I'm feeling a little out-shone here," he added, while addressing the U.S. Conference of Mayors Winter Meeting.

During his speech, Obama commended the cities and counties that have raised their minimum wages, implemented paid sick leave and taken steps to combat homelessness "without waiting for Congress."

"So that's what mayors do. They get things done. They make things happen. And on other urgent issues like responding to climate change or getting more families insured, rebuilding infrastructure, making sure that our youngest Americans get the best start in life with quality pre-K -- mayors like you are helping to get it done. And we want to help," Obama said, reports USA Today.

He also told the mayors that they're a key part of his strategy for what he's called the "fourth quarter" of his presidency.

"The president gets it," Democrat Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said. "He gave us some great marching orders of ways that we can be helpful -- as he put it, in the fourth quarter -- to get things done for American families."

Republican mayors also said they found some common ground with the president.

"Overall, I think the president is to be praised for meeting with local officials and listening to our needs," Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett said.

Likewise, Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry, the leader of a Republican mayors caucus, said he also agrees with the president that cities with good economic policies can create well-paying jobs.

"Local government is certainly more agile and nimble than the federal government," he said. "It's harder to pigeonhole mayors, and there's something people in Washington can learn from that attitude."

Watch a video clip of the speech below.

Related