The NBA is one of the most unpredictable sports competitions in the world. However, fans that like betting on it are often looking for close to a sure thing when it comes to the playoffs.

The real unpredictability in the NBA starts when the playoffs get underway, as the sides that are in the top positions in the Eastern and Western conferences do battle.

In case you are considering taking on NBA betting, you might want to check the latest NBA Betting Odds at edge.twinspires.com/nba/odds/.

Anyway, which teams are among the safest bets to reach the playoffs in the 2021-22 season?

Brooklyn Nets

It would be hard to start anywhere else when assessing the best chances to make the playoffs. The Brooklyn Nets were considered favourites to win the NBA last season following the addition of James Harden.

Read Also: NBA All-Star Game MVP award in last ten years: NBA Awards

However, their season eventually fell apart in the post season, as they were beaten by the Milwaukee Bucks in seven games in the conference semi-finals. This season they are looking extremely strong once again, in an Eastern Conference that looks wide open when it comes to playoff spots.

The Nets have won ten from 14 games that they have played, and have been strong both home and away. They have won four times in Brooklyn so far this season, and six times away from home. Obviously, we are still at a very early stage of the season, but the early indications are very good for this leading NBA chance to reach the playoffs this season.

Read Also: Princepal Singh: First ever Indian to be in NBA title-winning team

Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers boast one of the most impressive rosters in the NBA, which means it will come as no surprise that they are one of the safest bets to reach the playoffs this season. The Lakers won the NBA title in the 2019-20 season but were very disappointing in the post-season the last term.

They failed to make it past the first round of the playoffs, as they were beaten by the Phoenix Suns. It was the first time in the career of Lebron James that he was knocked out of the playoffs at the early stage. It was also the worst playoff performance by a defending champion since the San Antonio Spurs in the 2014-15 season.

Read also: "It's a great day for gender equity with our country, with our women's basketball," says Dawn Staley

There is still work for the Lakers to do this season though, as they are down in seventh after 14 games of the new season. They have been slightly too easy to beat so far this term, having lost on six occasions and having won just eight times. Away performances will certainly need to improve, as they have lost two of the three games that they have played away from the Staples Center.

Golden State Warriors

There is certainly a feeling this season that the Golden State Warriors are truly back. They have missed out on the playoffs in the last two seasons but finally, look back to the level that they were at when winning their three titles between 2015 and 2018. The Warriors have already been making history over the early weeks of the season.

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Steph Curry looks to be at the top of his game this season, as he surpassed the record number of three-pointers in NBA history set by Ray Allen. The Warriors are the early pacesetters in the Western Conference, having won eleven of the 13 games that they have played.

Home form has been a huge plus for them to this point, as they have won eight of the nine games played with home-court advantage. Certainly, bigger tests will come down the line, but the momentum that they are building ensures that they are standout contenders to reach the playoffs at present.

Artificial Intelligence has been improving the sports we watch and analyze for nearly the past 20 years, but the latest generation of ultra-modern AI tools is revolutionizing every aspect of sports, from improving player and team performances to ensuring safety along with fan engagement and the experiences.

AI can process and store large amounts of data, which allows us to gain insights that we couldn't see before. This capability is at the center of the revolution. For the players, this brings improved strategies, varied training methods, and a significantly lower risk of injury.

The fans enjoy a whole new level of engagement in the game, thanks to Al-powered platforms providing content tailored to them, such as virtual reality experiences and more.

The massive impact of AI in the Sports Industry

Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing the Sports Industry rapidly by offering solutions to common problems such as individual performance, tactical requirements, injuries and recoveries, variations in training, etc.

The capacity of AI and GenAI tools to analyze complex data and provide instant insights is ushering in a new era of athletic performance and fan engagement as well.

From predictive analytics that improve player safety and performance to AI-powered viewing experiences for fans, the influence of artificial intelligence is setting the bar higher across the industry.

1. Player and team performance

GenAI can analyze team and player behavior to reach conclusions that would contribute to improved training and coaching. For example, they can monitor and analyze the movements of players with computer vision.

In this way, they can assess whether an athlete is moving wrongly or could be injured. Machine learning algorithms can watch game videos to identify patterns of the opposing team. Sports coaches can be made to develop wiser game plans and strategies by artificial intelligence.

Some techniques, including motion tracking and motion analysis, can capture changes in the posture, movement, or technique of a player that indicte fatigue or poor motor control.

According to a study by Grand View Research, the sports analytics market size was valued at $1.9 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach $5.2 billion by 2028, showcasing the rapid growth and demand for advanced analytics tools in sports.

The following two tools are widely applicable to player and team analysis:

• SportVU: This system tracks detailed player and ball motion in a game with computer vision and machine learning. It can analyze shot mechanics, accelerations and decelerations, speed, and distance.
• KINEXON: This system tracks positional and motion data in real-time by equipping players with sensors.

2. Injury Prediction and Prevention

Injuries occur regularly in professional sports. Identifying and preventing injuries before they even occur is likely one of the most thrilling applications of AI.

Teams can utilize AI algorithms to monitor an individual's motion as they move their joints and strain their muscles. It can search for patterns or instabilities that signify an injury before the symptoms themselves appear.

AI can recognize a slight deviation in the amount of strain a soccer player puts on their knee joint and warn the coaches or medical staff. Way before the injury became acute enough to cause the player to miss games, the team could either give them rest or do exercises to help them recover.

A report by MarketsandMarkets estimates that the global sports medicine market, which incorporates AI-driven health monitoring solutions, is projected to reach $9.3 billion by 2026, underlining the significant role of AI in athlete well-being.

The following two tools could be used in the AI-powered prediction and prevention of injuries:

• Sparta Science: It uses computer vision and motion sensing in analyzing movement patterns of an athlete. Based on motion data, biomechanical deficiencies, and especially risks of increased injury, machine learning models are able to identify those. 
• Zone 7: It measures injury risk using factors such as workload, degree of fatigue, and others through artificial intelligence and research in sports science. Their methods take age, position, body composition, and medical history into account. 

3. Training Through AI-Powered Analytics and Wearables

Smartwatches and fitness trackers are examples of wearable technology that have become essential for tracking many of the parameters mentioned earlier.

Wearable GPS devices that can track athletes' speed and location, overall distance traveled, and movement patterns are available to provide relevant information.

Wearable heart rate monitors use optical sensors to measure blood flow in real-time, tracking the heart rate. This is an important aspect of monitoring heart health, fitness levels, and recovery. It also helps in tracking blood oxygen levels, which is another important component of modern-day fitness trackers. They use optical sensors to track the oxygen saturation level of blood.

Since the 2010s, Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs), such as GPS tracking vests, have been commonly used in professional sports. Such vests are offered with discrete and effective GPS tracking and sensors located on the back and shoulders; they are typically worn as tank tops.

In football and rugby, the vest is mainly utilized to track the location and movement of a player and, thereby, report strengths and weaknesses.

4. Sports Commentary and Reporting

Sports commentary and reporting can automatically be generated from match events and live data by employing natural language processing (NLP) methods like GPT-3. Artificially intelligent commentary not only comments on a strategy but also summarizes the critical events of match play. 

Similarly, GenAI can create such highlights, summaries, and post-match data reportage for viewing audiences as well.

NLP methods can make the commentary more dramatic and interesting by taking into account the game statistics and situations in real-time data. With the use of generated personalities and tones, it is possible to accommodate various fan interests in the coverage.

Automated GenAI reporting enhances sports coverage and commentary without losing interesting and captivating stories.

5. Sports Officiating

The use of AI in sports officiating is not without controversy, including traditional backlash and concerns regarding technology's influence on the game. Yet, the improvements it introduces, such as real-time analysis and decision support, are dramatically enhancing the accuracy and fairness of officiating.

Its capabilities to review plays from multiple angles and analyze them in seconds are proving invaluable in high-level games where every call matters.

Despite initial doubts, the use of AI in officiating is increasingly being accepted, with many seeing its potential to eliminate human error and ensure a level playing field.

As the technology improves and its uses extend, its role in assisting fair play and accuracy in sports is poised to increase, ushering in a new era in the use of technology and sportsmanship.

6. Player Scouting

Team owners are using artificial intelligence to review the performance of the players. To determine the most skilled people to invest in, they use data analysis using artificial intelligence. It takes millions of dollars to find talent in the sports world.

So, team owners would like to ensure that scouting one player is the best decision. Artificial intelligence is used widely in scouting players for any sport, be it cricket, football, or basketball.

AI-powered Change in Fan Engagement and Experiences

1. Personalized Fan Engagement

To provide customised fan experiences, GenAI algorithms can model the preferences and behaviours of audiences. Sports teams and broadcasters can use these insights to optimize engagement across media channels.

For example, social media platforms can deliver tailored video highlights, personalized promotions, and AI-recommended content to resonate with each fan.

The NBA revealed 'NB-AI', allowing fans to activate "movie mode" and watch live games animated like popular films, such as Spider-Man

pic.twitter.com/zb2IYT2YBX

— Dexerto (@Dexerto) February 16, 2024

Based on their past interactions and activities, the Generative AI identifies what content types, sports stats, and topics each fan finds most appealing. It creates and sends personalized content for each person. This level of customization, enabled by GenAI in sports, helps sports organizations connect more deeply with their audiences.

2. Viewing Experiences

GenAI can process live video to generate augmented reality (AR) overlays and graphics that enhance broadcasts or live streams.

For example, shot trajectories, real-time player stats, and situational analysis can be visualized and overlaid onto the gameplay footage. For virtual reality (VR), GenAI can create real-world simulated environments for an immersive in-game perspective.

The key innovation is using Generative AI to dynamically generate and adapt AR/VR overlays and environments on the fly, customized to each moment. As the narrative and action of the game shift, the GenAI-powered augmented experiences shift with them, elevating viewing to multidimensional engagement. 

A survey conducted by PwC found that 65% of sports fans are interested in using AR or virtual reality (VR) devices to watch sports, indicating a growing appetite for immersive experiences enabled by AI-driven technologies.

Conclusion

AI collaboration with sports is making the place safer as well as fairer. Predictive modeling and algorithms in AI are becoming a must for injury prevention. AI guarantees that more accuracy and fairness can be introduced in the outcome of a game by enhancing officiating. Both the aspects of performance and integrity are vital components in ensuring the prosperity and popularity of sports continue.

The impact of AI reaches sports journalism, advertising, and the creation of next-gen sports equipment, beyond the field or court. These innovations create new revenue streams and provide more exciting ways for fans to engage with their beloved sports and teams.

In this sense, artificial intelligence in the sports field could be said to be, by itself, a change not only for the athletes or for the coaches but for the sports system in general. With AI, the sports of the future could easily be foreseen because technology would harmoniously mix with manly athleticism at its highest levels.

Boston Celtics will host the Dallas Mavericks at the TD Arena for the NBA Finals (Game 2). Both the teams brought their A-game to the field. But the Celtics emerged victorious in Game 1 with a final score of 107-89. Jaylen Brown (22 points) and Kristaps Porzingis (20 points) led the scoreboard which helped the Celtics secure the win. The Mavericks fell short of 11 points with leading contributions from Luka Doncic (30 points) and PJ Washington (14 points).

We are heading to the NBA Finals 2024 (Game 2) where it's Goliath vs Goliath and it can be anybody's playoff at this point. The Celtics lead by 1-0 with an incredible comeback from Kristaps Porziginis who returned after a 39-day injury layoff and scored 20 points, adding three blocks and six rebounds in 21 minutes. 

The East vs West basketball saga for 2024 will head to its second chapter where anticipation is to the fullest as to who will achieve the win and head to Game 3. Boston will step in as the team leading the playoffs. All eyes will be on Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and recently returned Kristaps Porziginis as they aim to move forward with a (2-0) lead for the rest of the playoffs. But all has not been lost as Kyrie Irving, Luka Doncic and PJ Washington will look for the win to tie the NBA Finals at (1-1).

 Let's take a look at the squad stats of the champions of Eastern Conference and Western Conference as they go head-to-head against each other in the NBA Finals 2024 (Game 2):

BOSTON CELTICS

Starting lineup:

Jayson Tatum

Jayson Tatum has scored 16 points in NBA Finals 2024 (Game 1) with 5 assists and 11 rebounds(2 offensive rebounds and 9 defensive rebounds).

Stats per game:

Jaylen Brown

Eastern Conference Finals MVP Jaylen Brown has scored 22 points in NBA Finals 2024 (Game 1) with 2 assists and 6 rebounds(1 offensive rebound and 5 defensive rebounds).

Stats per game:

Points per game	23.0
Assists per game	3.6
Rebounds per game	5.5
Steals per game	1.2

 

Derrick White

Derrick White has scored 15 points in NBA Finals 2024 (Game 1) with 5 assists and 2 rebounds(1 offensive rebound and 1 defensive rebound).

Stats per game:

Points per game	20.1
Assists per game	5.2
Rebounds per game	4.2
Steals per game	1.0

 

Jrue Holiday

Jrue Holiday has scored 12 points in NBA Finals 2024 (Game 1) with 5 assists and 8 rebounds(2 offensive rebounds and 6 defensive rebounds).

Stats per game:

Points per game	12.5
Assists per game	4.8
Rebounds per game	5.4
Steals per game	0.9

 

Al Horford

Al Horford has scored 10 points in NBA Finals 2024 (Game 1) with 3 assists and 7 rebounds(2 offensive rebounds and 5 defensive rebounds).

Stats per game:

Points per game	8.6
Assists per game	2.6
Rebounds per game	6.4
Steals per game	0.6

 

Super-sub : Kristaps Porziginis

Kristaps Porziginis scored 20 points in NBA Finals 2024 (Game 1) with 3 blocks and 6 rebounds(6 defensive rebounds).

Stats per game:

Points per game	15.2
Blocks per game	1.9
Rebounds per game	7.2
Steals per game	0.7

 

DALLAS MAVERICKS

Starting lineup:

 Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving has scored 12 points in NBA Finals 2024 (Game 1) with 2 assists and 3 rebounds(3 defensive rebounds).

Stats per game:

Points per game	25.6
Assists per game	5.2
Rebounds per game	5.0
Steals per game	1.3

 

Luka Doncic

Western Conference Finals MVP Luka Doncic has scored 30 points in NBA Finals 2024 (Game 1) with 1 assist and 10 rebounds(10 defensive rebounds).

Stats per game:

Points per game	33.9
Assists per game	9.8
Rebounds per game	9.2
Steals per game	1.4

 

P.J. Washington 

P.J. Washington has scored 14 points in NBA Finals 2024 (Game 1) with 1 assist and 8 rebounds(3 offensive rebounds and 5 defensive rebounds).

Stats per game:

Points per game	12.9
Assists per game	1.9
Rebounds per game	5.6
Steals per game	1.0

 

Derrick Jones Jr.

Derrick Jones Jr. has scored 5 points in NBA Finals 2024 (Game 1) with 6 rebounds(2 offensive rebounds and 4 defensive rebounds).

Stats per game:

Points per game	8.6
Assists per game	1.0
Rebounds per game	3.3
Steals per game	0.7

 

Daniel Gafford

Daniel Gafford has scored 8 points in NBA Finals 2024 (Game 1) with 1 assist and 3 rebounds(3 offensive rebounds).

Stats per game:

Points per game	11.0
Assists per game	1.6
Rebounds per game	7.6
Steals per game	0.9

 

Jaden Hardy

Jaden Hardy has scored 13 points in NBA Finals 2024 (Game 1) with 1 assist and 3 rebounds(3 defensive rebounds).

Stats per game:

Points per game	7.3
Assists per game	1.5
Rebounds per game	1.8
Steals per game	0.3

 

 The Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics will play on Sunday, June 9 in Game 2 of the 2024 NBA Finals. The game is scheduled for 5 p.m. Pacific time (8 p.m. Eastern time)

Have you ever wondered what NBA players do during their downtime? NBA players have 82 games a season (and more if they make the playoffs), which means that a lot of their time is taken up by playing games, traveling all across the States (and occasionally into Canada), training, working out, and team meetings. This means that the small amount of downtime that NBA players get is important, so it is vital that they make the most out of this limited time. There are a few activities that are popular among NBA players during their downtime that help them temporarily forget about basketball and recharge.

 Rest

Being an NBA player is incredibly demanding, both physically and mentally. Therefore, rest is vital when it comes to downtime. NBA players will spend much of their free time simply relaxing at home, recovering from the demands of the job.

Online Casino Games

Following this, many NBA players like to play different types of games when resting. Games like online casino games can be great fun, allowing NBA players to briefly forget about basketball and enjoy their free time. NBA players do not get many opportunities to visit real-life casinos, so online casinos can be a great alternative and provide the ability to play poker, roulette, blackjack, and other casino games from the comfort of home or on the road. You can also look on review sites for the best online casino bonuses Australia has to take advantage of deals and promotions.

Also Read: The NBA Today: A Look at Some of the Best and Worst Moments This Season 

Practice

Although basketball is a job, it is also a passion for NBA players. Therefore, it is not surprising that many will spend their downtime practicing, whether this is working on their shooting, dribbling, strength training, or improving their fitness.

Family Time

Many basketball fans dream of playing in the NBA, but it is not quite as glamorous as it might seem. NBA players must spend a lot of their time away from home playing an 82-game season (and possibly the playoffs) in cities all over the US and Canada (Toronto). This can take its toll, so it is important that NBA players spend quality time with family at every opportunity.

Business Ventures

You will find that many NBA players also have business ventures on the side. While the star players around the league will make eye-watching money each season that will set them and their families up for life, other NBA players do not earn as much (although many do still have other businesses). Many pursue ventures on the outside that will help them maintain a high standard of living once they hang up the boots.

Community Work

You will frequently see NBA players involved in community and charity work, which is fantastic to see. Of course, this is often part of the contract that they have with their team, but many partake in community work and philanthropic work on their own time. Many NBA players understand how lucky they are and will use their profile and resources to effect positive change in their communities to help those less fortunate.

Mental Wellness

As mentioned, life as an NBA player can be incredibly physically and mentally demanding. NBA players are under enormous pressure to perform to a high standard, and during a time of social media, many experience hate and negative comments. Therefore, it is no surprise that mental wellness is an important part of downtime for players. This can include meditation, mindfulness, spending time with loved ones, and therapy.

Downtime is precious to an NBA player, so it is vital that they have activities that they can turn to that will help them to recharge and recover. The above are a few of the main ways that NBA players do this and activities that help them manage the demands of life in the NBA.

Imagine that you’re watching the greatest basketball match of all time with two of the greatest players. On one side, you’ve got the six-time champion and the utmost competitor Michael Jordan, while on the contrary, there’s Lebron James; the four-time MVP and the most versatile player ever. Who would you bet on? Who would you root for?  Who is better, Michael Jordan vs LeBron James? This petty question has divided fans, players, and analysts for years. We’ll examine the arguments in favor of and against each player to jump to a conclusion. 

Michael Jordan vs Lebron James: Early Careers

In 1984, Michael Jordan was drafted by the Chicago Bulls and played for the team till 1993 he retired from basketball and shifted his focus to baseball for a year for the Birmingham Barons that’s a minor league team affiliated with the Chicago White Sox before returning to the NBA in 1995.

In 2003, LeBron James was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers and played for the team till 2010 when he joined Miami Heat from 2010 and played for them till 2014 before returning to the Cavaliers. 

Michael Jordan vs Lebron James Stats 

Michael Jordan and LeBron James are two of the greatest basketball players of all time. Jordan played 1,072 games and scored a total of 32,292 points throughout his career, while James has played 1,421 games and has scored 38,652 points. When it comes to distributing the ball, James has the edge with 10,420 assists compared to Jordan's 5,633. In terms of rebounding, James also has the advantage, grabbing 10,667 rebounds compared to Jordan's 6,672. 

Both players are known for their defensive prowess, with Jordan amassing 2,514 steals and 10,073 blocks, while James has recorded 2,186 steals and 893 blocks. When it comes to shooting percentages, James has a higher field goal percentage at 54.50% compared to Jordan's 50.90%. In terms of three-point shooting, James also has a slight edge with a 34.50% three-point percentage compared to Jordan's 32.70%. However, Jordan has the upper hand in free throw shooting, with an 83.50% free throw percentage compared to James' 73.50%.

Jordan vs. LeBron Accolades

Michael Jordan has won five regular season MVP awards and six NBA Finals MVP awards while Lebron James bagged himself  four regular season MVP awards and four NBA Finals MVP awards. All in all, Jordan has won six NBA championships throughout his career and James has won four. 

Michael Jordan’s Net Worth vs Lebron James’ Net Worth

As of June 2023, Michael Jordan holds a net worth of $2 billion and a major chunk of his fortune has come from his NBA salary, ownership stake in the Charlotte Hornets (which he had sold for approximately $3 billion in June 2023) and endorsement deals from brands like Nike.

LeBron James on the other hand owns a net worth of $1 billion in 2023 and he’s the first active NBA player to become a billionaire. James has earned his major deal from his NBA salary, endorsement deals and investments in multiple businesses like Blaze Pizza and SpringHill Company.

Therefore, Michael Jordan has a higher net worth than LeBron James by about $1 billion.

Michael Jordan says Lebron is the best? Is it True?

This is false information that spread on social media in December 2018 as Michael Jordan has never stated that LeBron James was the greatest basketball player of all time. According to Snopes, the claim originally came from a fake tweet that circulated and was attributed towards Jordan. The tweet read:

"I want to congratulate @KingJames for becoming the greatest player of all time. He has surpassed me in every aspect of the game and I'm happy for him. #GOAT"

There’s no evidence that proves that Jordan ever tweeted or posted about james. In fact, he was always reluctant to make a comparison between himself and the active player as he considers this act as unfair and disrespectful to the other generations and players in basketball NBA history. Michael Jordan personally considers himself as the best player but not of 'all time’

Talking about James, yes, he’s called himself a great player in a footage from TNT which posted a video of Shaquille O’Neal asking Lebron James about being the greatest player of all time after he broke a score record. James replied that he would take himself against anybody that ever played the game and that he always feels like he is the best to ever play the game. Perhaps, this tweet is in no sense somewhat or even related to Michael Jordan.

Therefore, the claim that Michael Jordan said that LeBron James was the greatest basketball player of all time is entirely false and a rumor.

Who is better, Michael Jordan or LeBron James?

Michael Jordan and LeBron James are two of the greatest basketball players of all time. It is difficult to say definitively who is better, as they both have their own strengths and weaknesses. Ultimately, the debate over who’s the better player is a matter of opinion. 

There’s clear consensus, and both players have strong arguments in their favor. It’s enough to note that both Jordan and James are elite in their own ways but I would personally choose Michael Jordan to take the cake for this one as he’s a  more prolific scorer, a better defender, and has won more championships. I have written an article comparing Kobe Bryant and Lebron James similar to Who is better, Michael Jordan or LeBron James. Do check it out. Share what you would choose among the two GOATS in the comments below!

The world of sports is surprisingly full of friendships that show fans the value of having a great friend. Over the years, some of the fiercest on-field rivals have come to become the best of friends off it. It's hard to imagine such great competitors forging beautiful human bonds away from the playing arena, and therefore always an interesting story for the fans, and what better way to celebrate than by taking a look at some of the best friendships in sports history? 

Sourav Ganguly- Sachin Tendulkar

The duo formed the most destructive and successful opening partnership on the pitch and an abiding friendship off it. If interviews and social media are anything to go by, these two idols of Indian cricket have still remained the best of friends, ocassionally engaging is friendly banters and revealing funny anecdotes about their playing days. 

In his autobiography titled 'A Century is not enough' Ganguly remebers the time Sachin Tendulkar taped his bat when India toured England in 1996, a sojourn which saw the Bengal southpaw announce his arrival on the international stage. 

 Roger Federer- Rafael Nadal

Spanning years of rivalry, Federer and Nadal have ruled world tennis for quite some time. Although they are rivals on the court, the two personalities are great friends off it. 

It is worth noting that Federer was invited as a special guest when Nadal opened a tennis academy in 2016. Also, on occasions like joint-interviews, their budding friendship is very visible. It is also known that Federer credits Nadal as the most inspiring and influential person he has met in his life.

But not these two. By all accounts, they hold each other in high regard and have spoken glowingly about each other during interviews. The mutual respect they have is clear

Cristiano Ronaldo- Marcelo

Ronaldo and Marcelo had a wonderful relationship at Real Madrid, and a combination that began and ended thanks to Ronaldo's big money moves to Juventus in 2018. Their link-up play on the left side of the pitch was ruthless, and their time together helped them form a special bond while winning record number of trophies together at Madrid.

LeBron James - Dwyane Wade

Dwyane Wade and LeBron James won two NBA Finals together and played in two more from 2010-2014, but their friendship runs much deeper than that. This partnership began when the two were just entering the league and continued when they played together for the gold medal in the 2008 Olympics.

Rumor has it they made a pact at the Olympics, along with Chris Bosh, to join forces at some point in their careers. They did just that to great effect. Even after James left the Heat, the two have stayed close. Now their sons will team up on the same high school basketball team ushering in the next era of athlete friends.

Magic Johnson- Larry Bird

Magic Johnson and Larry were college basketball rivals. Throughout the 1980s, they played against each other for NBA titles. 

It was only when both were invited for a shoe commercial, that a blossoming friendship started. Earlier, Johnson thought Larry was overrated, meanwhile, the latter thought that the former was a showoff. The commercial bought them together and they remain friends to this day.

Xavi- Iniesta

Xavi and Andres Iniesta spent more than a decade together at Barcelona, creating one of the best midfield partnerships in the sport's history. Off the field, they hold each other in high regard and are the best of mates. In 2015, when Xavi left Barcelona for Al Sadd, Iniesta was reduced to tears as he bid farewell to his friend at a special event and labelled Xavi as his "captain, team-mate and friend."

MS Dhoni- Suresh Raina

MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina are a pair of cricketers who retired from international cricket on the same day. In fact, Suresh has also stated that he will have zero interest in participating in the Indian Premier League if Dhoni decides to end his IPL career.

Raina and Dhoni have had many memorable partnerships on the field. Their match-winning partnership in a tricky run-chase against Zimbabwe in the 2015 Cricket World Cup is a partnership that is very close to the hearts of all cricket fans.

Virat Kohli- AB de Villiers

Virat Kohli is the captain of the Indian cricket team and the Royal Challengers Bangalore right now. At RCB, Kohli joined hands with former South African cricket team captain AB de Villiers in 2011.

Ten years have passed and now Kohli and de Villiers are the best of the friends. Their bromance has wowed the cricket universe, and they have destroyed many bowling attacks together while donning the RCB jersey.

Smriti Mandhana- Jemimah Rodrigues

Indian women's cricket has certainly been on the rise in last few years. While the performances on the field have been incredible, the popularity has something to do with off the field stuff as well. From their singing sessions on Instagram to their comradery while batting together, the friendship of Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues is certainly known to everyone.

The silent attitude of Smriti and the jolly nature of Jemimah just make their bond even more exciting. They are the face of Indian women's cricket going ahead and the fans would just hope that the duo's amazing bond stays intact for years to come.

Steven Gerrard- Xabi Alonso

Gerrard and Alonso created a talented midfield anchor at Liverpool, with their strong chemistry crucial to the Reds' success. They played a huge part in Liverpool's famous Champions League triumph, both scoring in the "Miracle of Istanbul" 14 years ago.

This completes our list of the Best Friendships in Sports.