Basketball and more specifically the NBA is one of the most popular sports in the world. Frequently attracting millions of fans throughout the regular season and beyond, the athletic prowess shown by players in the NBA makes for some of the most captivating sporting feats ever seen.

We are around a quarter of the way through the regular season, and we have already seen some thrilling examples of the athletic excellence of players. The performances of Jayson Tatum for the Boston Celtics in particular has seen the team become championship favourites according to NBA odds. While the NBA exists in a realm of its own when it comes to popularity and athleticism, the sport and its stars actually share some surprising parallels with the world of action sports.

Both require an exceptional level of physical conditioning, and the mental fortitude is identical. The willingness for athletes across both sports to push the boundaries of human performance is consistently on show. As a result of these parallels, both disciplines have welcomed a growing convergence. Athletes from both have been able to draw inspiration from the other’s unique set of skills to allow for even more awe-inspiring sporting action.

To begin with, the thrill and passion for competition is something that every athlete must have in order to thrive in a high-pressure environment. Players in the NBA and action sports stars both thrive on their pursuit of excellence and competition. In the NBA, there can be incredible mental pressure on players during high-stakes games, especially during the playoffs. Every possession, every steal, every turnover matters, and many thrive on that feeling of playing on the edge. Athletes in action sports on the other hand push themselves to their individual limits in events. They strive to execute manoeuvres that seemingly defy gravity with precision and technique. The thrill that both sets of stars receive from this and the desire they have to outdo themselves are just one of the ways that these two sports are united.

With such high stakes, it is of course incredibly important that basketball and action sports athletes are at peak physical condition. Players in the NBA are explosive athletes with excellent agility, hand-eye coordination, balance and stamina. Action sports athletes, especially those who take part in the X Games in events such as skateboarding, snowboarding and BMX, need much of the same. Their timing and balance must be immaculate as they perform maneuvers and a nanosecond can be the difference between success and severe injury. There are many similarities between the movement of both athletes, as well as the way they regulate their weight in accordance with their activity.

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However, physical prowess can mean nothing if both sets of athletes are not mentally tough for competition. As previously mentioned, the thrill of competition is a huge driving force between the love both sets have for their vocation. This means it is imperative that they overcome any fear or nervousness before and during activity. A switch in this mind state could prove to be the difference between success and failure and even serious injury for both. In the NBA, many players have to play in front of hostile crowds when on the road as well as being under the bright lights, live in front of millions. For action sports athletes, some stunts and feats are death defying and it is important they shut out the noise of the crowd to focus on the task at hand. The ability for these athletes to push through the mental barriers that would affect many others is a hallmark of excellence in both disciplines.

Away from the highs and lows of success and failure in their fields, both disciplines provide a platform for these athletes to showcase their individuality. Despite basketball being a team game, it takes a number of different personality types and physical assets for a successful collective. You can have flair players who rely on silky foot and handwork mixed with more scientific styles who give way their raw athleticism for a more tactical approach. The way they express themselves on the court is unique to every player. Action sports athletes also develop different personalities and styles between them, developing signature moves and unique aesthetic visuals. All of this adds an extra layer of excitement for fans of both sports.

The crossover between both sports is clear to see. Whether it is physically or mentally, both disciplines require much of the same prowess. Because of this there has been a cross-pollination of sorts. NBA stars are now adopting elements of parkour and hymnastics, especially in their training, to inform the way they move on the court. Action sports athletes on the other hand have recognised the mental fortitude and strategy it takes to succeed at the highest levels of basketball. The landscape of both sports is no doubt richer and more entertaining as a result.