Competition in Sports Can Breed Lasting Friendships

Basketball is all about competition and trumping the opponent. It’s a constant battle of fighting for the rebound or the loose ball, scoring just enough points for the victory and out-hustling the competition. However, despite all of these details that revolve around winning and losing, sports are also very much connected to camaraderie and lasting friendships.

When you spend enough time with your teammates, you’re bound to have at least some level of conversation with them. Sometimes, when you’re lucky, you even get along with your teammates. At its best, a team is full of great friends that will stay in touch no matter their future destinations.

Coaches should use team websites to teach their young athletes about the merits of camaraderie in sports. Competition is a valuable aspect of sports, but good friendships can make the process even more worthwhile.

Warriors are good players and good teammates

The Golden State Warriors are one of the top teams in the NBA this year, led by guards Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. These players are two of the best shooters in the league. Along with their talented teammates such as forwards Harrison Barnes, Andre Iguodala and Draymond Green, they are finding all kinds of ways to beat some of the top teams in the league, such as the Chicago Bulls, the Los Angeles Clippers and the Portland Trail Blazers.

Yet what separates the Warriors from other great teams is that they’re making each other better teammates as well. It’s all led by Curry and Thompson and it’s rooted in more than their excellent play.

“It goes beyond that. Playing with those guys, the way they conduct themselves, with what they bring to the team, it’s not about them,” Green told the news outlet. “It’s no ego involved with it, and it makes them a pleasure to play with, a pleasure to be around.”

Iowa teammates get the best out of each other

T.J. Hockenson and Daric Laing, teammates at Chariton High School in Iowa, grew up down the street from each other. They play four different sports together, they’re best friends and they act like family, according to the Des Moines Register. Meanwhile, they’re also the only teammates in Iowa high school basketball to average more than 20 points per game.

“When we’re playing a game, I don’t think there’s anybody I’d rather play with,” Laing told the news outlet.