MJ played basketball year round (along with other sports). He was one of the first players to put a 'for the love of the game' clause in his contracts [1]. When

MJ played basketball year round (along with other sports). He was one of the first players to put a 'for the love of the game' clause in his contracts [1]. When you saw MJ playing golf or baseball that was less about him taking time away from basketball, and more about being a ruthless competitor at pretty much anything. Larry Bird may not have fit the athletic build, but he absolutely practiced year round. He was famously discipline about shooting daily, etc... Players like the above were great because they loved the game. It was part of them, and in the case of Bird, his body paid the price. The advances that have been made (when to practice, when to rest, nutrition, etc...) let players play and practice year round with a structure that also lets them play longer careers. [1] https://brobible.com/sports/article/michael-jordan-bulls-contract-love-for-the-game/ https://brobible.com/sports/article/michael-jordan-bulls-con...