The age difference between the NBA’s oldest and youngest players is so vast that someone who grew up playing the Super Nintendo can find themselves on the court alongside someone who grew up playing Fortnite.
You don’t need me to tell you that, you can just look at Wikipedia lists of “oldest NBA players” if you the thought ever strikes you, but this post isn’t going to be about you sourcing your own trivia expeditions, it’s about some public quotes being made that put that age difference into stark relief.
Last week, veteran Mike Conley—who is 35 years old—was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Talking with the press after the move, Conley mentioned the much-vaunted youth of Minnesota’s roster (which is a bit of a myth among fans and the press, the Timberwolves are only the 12th-youngest team in the NBA), and how 21-year-old Anthony Edwards asked him “You play Call of Duty?”
Edwards, a child of the 21st century, plays Call of Duty a lot. Thing is, the series…
2023-02-17 08:00:03 Call Of Duty Is So Old It's Bridging Generations Of NBA Players
Article from kotaku.com
In an age of distancing and isolation, NBA players find unity through the timelessness of the classic first-person shooter game, Call of Duty.
The bond between teammates and friends is even stronger when playing an intense, hyper-competitive video game. And in the case of NBA players, they’re leveraging video games to not only pass the time while in quarantine, but to keep the spirit of comradery alive.
The first reports of NBA players gaming together came from former Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard and Phoenix Suns point guard Devin Booker, who competed in a game of Call of Duty together. But Call of Duty is becoming a regular pastime for a contingent of NBA players. Some players have even taken it to the next level by setting up their own channel on Twitch, an online streaming platform, that allows anyone to view or participate in gaming sessions.
Players such as Booker and LeBron James, who promote their gaming channels on social media, are becoming even more popular with their fan bases. For some, Call of Duty provides an escape from basketball and allows them to show off another side of their personality.
Playing the game also has its benefits in terms of team building. “The chemistry that you build when you’re playing together translates over onto the court for sure,” says James. It allows for mutual understanding to develop between players as well as build communication skills.
Additionally, with the ability for NBA players to livestream their gameplay, it offers another perspective for fans to get to know their favorite hoopers. Through playing Call of Duty, viewers can see their favorite players interact with one another and gain insight into the lives of their idols.
In addition to uniting NBA players, Call of Duty is also connecting others looking for an escape from the mundanity of everyday life. “It’s a great way to reach fans, interact with friends and family, and just to be silly,” Booker said.
In the world of physical isolation, it’s comforting to know that the timelessness of a classic video game like Call of Duty can create positive connections and bring people together in times of difficulty.