Why do NBA players sometimes walk on a square mat near the scorers table before they check into the game?

Question

I often see players stand on a square mat near the scorers table before they enter into a game after sitting on the bench. What is this for?

Answer 1

the mat is for traction, it's a special mat designed to remove dirt and any other debris from the bottoms of players' shoes so they are able to get better footing on the court

Answer 2

Nba Scorers Table

Answer 3

joshua is correct in that the mat is there only to remove dust and dirt from their shoes, it doesn't transfer any substance to make the shoes any more sticky. If that were the case, it would leave junk on the wood floors (which they work hard to take care of). The licking of their hands/shoes, however, is for the purpose of traction. Bottom line: the mat improves traction, but only by taking away the dust that makes wood floors slippery and the dirt that can potentially damage it.

Answer 4

Hey, the mat is there to give the guys a little stickiness on the bottoms of their shoes. It gives them a little traction on the floor so their shoes dont slide across the floor. You notice when the players lick their hands and rub them on the soles of their shoes, they are doing the same thing there. Just trying to gain some traction on the hardwood floor. To keep from sliding when they jump stop or to stop quickly and put down a pivot foot. Its not what lets them do it easier then us, just somthing that helps them.

Answer 5

Traction

Answer 6

To clean their shoes off before coming into the game.

Answer 7

the mat has a stickness on it

Answer 8

qwer