If you’ve ever watched an NBA game and noticed players smoking cigars after a big win, you may wonder, “why do NBA players smoke cigars?”
There are a few reasons for this celebratory smoke!
Do NBA Players Smoke Cigars?
Basketball players do smoke cigars, and they smoke for various reasons.
Now, the occasions or celebrations they attend have a significant impact on their motivations for smoking cigars.
Some NBA players, however, smoke cigars daily since it is their habit.
Can NBA Players Smoke Cigars?
Yes! NBA players can smoke cigars, e-cigarettes, or cigarettes.
However, they are not permitted to smoke marijuana because it is against the rules of the association.
Although NBA players are allowed to smoke cigars, they are not permitted to smoke on the court or before a basketball game.
In fact, NBA coaches forbid their players from smoking cigars before a game because it may impede their performance.
For decades, the NBA has utilized smokeless tobacco, yet we frequently see NBA players smoking cigars when they win an NBA title or when they celebrate in their homes or pubs.
Why Do NBA Players Smoke Cigars?
NBA players usually smoke cigars as part of their post-championship celebrations.
Any triumph or title in every sport is celebrated with a victory cigar and/or a glass of champagne.
Red Auerbach, the Boston Celtics coach in the 1950s and 1960s, is believed to have established smoking cigars tradition in the NBA.
This custom is followed by NBA champions today, such as LeBron James.
LeBron James Smokes Cigars
LeBron James is a well-known NBA player who occasionally smokes cigars.
Whenever LeBron James and his team has won an NBA championship, he has always smoked a cigar as part of his celebration.
Read our related article, Why Do Athletes Smoke Cigars After Winning? Learn more about this celebratory practice!
Which Cigars Do NBA Champions Smoke?
There are many different types of cigars, and you might be wondering what kind of cigars NBA champions smoke.
NBA players use limited edition Cuban cigars during championships. This cigar is commonly used for special occasions and celebrations.
Most champions are known to light up cigars to honor the game, event, or title. To commemorate their victory, they smoke and light their cigars.
Aside from limited edition Cuban cigars, NBA players smoke a variety of other types of cigars.
Even former NBA players turn commentators still smoke cigars after a big NBA win!
The video below shows James Worthy go wild with a cigar after the Lakers win:
NOTE: Cuban cigars are now illegal to purchase in the United States. Read our related article, Why Are Cuban Cigars Illegal? for more information.
Which NBA Players Smoked Cigars a Lot?
Many NBA players are avid cigar smokers, and the following NBA players are habitual cigar smokers:
- Michael Jordan
- J.R. Smith
- Lebron James
- Vlade Divac
- Kevin Durant
- Carmelo Anthony
- Dirk Nowitzki
- Hedo Turkoglu
- Chris Paul
- Carmelo Anthony
- Arvydas Sabonis
The majority of NBA players are habitual cigar users, and they may be seen smoking cigars as part of their game or celebratory rituals.
NBA players typically smoke cigars after their team wins an NBA title.
They may light cigars and crack up a bottle of champagne to celebrate, as this custom was started by NBA players and is still going strong today.
Read our related article, What Are Flavored Cigars? Flavored cigars don’t have the traditional earthy tastes. Learn more!
What Effect Does Smoking Have On Athletic Performance?
Circulatory Impairment
High blood pressure can occur when the arteries constrict.
Failure to address this health issue while engaging in hazardous activities, such as smoking cigars, might result in heart failure or cardiac arrest.
Furthermore, due to the restricted arteries, the muscles will not receive adequate blood and oxygen.
As a result, smoking can diminish muscular endurance, leading to early indicators of muscle tiredness while participating in sports.
Lung Health Deterioration
Tobacco use results in reduced lung function, and reduced lung health indicates decreased stamina for athletes, regardless of sport.
Muscles in the body will have less access to oxygen, causing weariness to occur at a higher pace than usual.
Smokers also experience shortness of breath.
Because the muscles, particularly the heart, require greater oxygen to operate properly during sports, a lack of oxygen might result in gasping for air.
Increased Injury Risks
Smoking reduces the functionality of the heart, brain, lungs, and other bodily parts, which increases the chance of damage on and off the court.
For example, a lack of oxygen delivered to the brain can impair cognitive abilities, increasing the likelihood that players will make poor decisions.
Smoking tobacco can also harm bone health. This is an issue for athletes because optimal bone health is essential for functioning effectively in basketball.
Read our related article, Why Does a Cigar Make You Dizzy? Discover the science behind the negative affects of cigars.
Conclusion
Many NBA players like smoking after a win, while others relax by smoking their favorite cigars.
Legendary players, such as Phil Jackson, would smoke cigars to find relief from pressures.
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