Lebron, KD, and Melo...

[exoticprince]

Video surfaces of them playing a pickup game today. Pretty cool.

https://instagram.com/p/BX04DRzB5vp/

[Scottish Punk]

That is pretty cool and all. It really does show the difference in the modern athlete. I think it is a healthy change, btw. Can you imagine Bird, Magic, and Isiah playing a pickup game? No freaking way. Different sport, but I thought it was awesome that Fowler and Spieth were there congratulating Thomas on his win. They seemed genuinely stoked about his win.

[pingbling23]

Different world now. These people grow up together traveling the country playing together. Much different then the past.

[ThoseBackPages]

embarrasing

[duron]

That is pretty cool and all. It really does show the difference in the modern athlete. I think it is a healthy change, btw. Can you imagine Bird, Magic, and Isiah playing a pickup game?

Personally healthier for the players themselves, sure, but I'll never understand how it enhances the entertainment value for fans. I don't think it does, unless you (not you specifically) lack certain perspective. Granted, that lack is to be expected as the older generations of fans phase out more and more.

[RogerGodahell]

I liked it better when rivals were enemies

[LincecumPC]

It looks like they are playing on a Nerf court out there.

[Braswell10]

Funny how the fans get angry at each other yet the actual players just continue hanging out and hooping with each other like nothing happened.

[pingbling23]

Some of you must not be really competitive. I've been in fist fights with friends while playing sports. It's different when you're competing so I don't buy the brand of basketball is watered down when players are friends vs enemies narrative.

[duron]

Some of you must not be really competitive. I've been in fist fights with friends while playing sports. It's different when you're competing so I don't buy the brand of basketball is watered down when players are friends vs enemies narrative.

That's a strange conclusion to draw, that the preference for competitors to not actually be friends arises out of a lack of competitive activities in one's own life. I've competed in a few areas, basketball being one, but even if I hadn't, I'd enjoy any sport more knowing the players aren't chummy in the offseason, or even in between games.

Like anything else, all entertainment hinges on is perception. There's nothing to "buy," it's just true to say that this removes a layer of interest for a good chunk of fans.

[dasiegel]

I don't think the players being friends means they want to win any less but it definitely makes the offseason, trade and free agent narrative watered down. If players have too much control it's no different than if a rich owner in baseball paid for his team or any other unfair advantage. I like seeing players not be "friendly" on the court. That is the most important thing. Magic and Isiah were friends but watch any doc and they said it was out the window in the Finals.

[Rip67vdub]

More surprised to see Kanter and KD. BTW, I don't think Melo was in the vid.