Much like the NFL, the NBA has been playing regular season games in London for a few year now. Which is not really something we care about — though it does make you wonder how long it will be before the Premier League starts reciprocating with mid-season rounds conducted in the USA (or China, or the Moon perhaps?) — but for a lot of the local professional Premier League athletes, this is a big deal. Or at least it's the place to be and the place to be seen on a Thursday night in the middle of January.
I see you there in your hipster glasses, Big Papy! Ain't no party like a Francophone party (plus Kenedy)!
Asmir Begovic was there, too, but apparently he sat away from the main group, perhaps in part due to his social media duties for NBA UK. Begovic spent a good bit of his childhood living in Canada, so it's unsurprising to see him in a Raptors jersey.
With @asmir1 at the #NBALondon16! He will answer questions about the game! pic.twitter.com/ESrqzteaYk
— NBA UK (@NBAUK) January 14, 2016
Joining the current crop of Chelsea stars were a couple big names from the past.
Former Blue Michael Ballack also in attendance tonight! #NBALondon16 pic.twitter.com/32ECZ7Tky7
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 14, 2016
Look sharp as ever even when casual, that Ballack. (Unlike most of the younger stars, if the Daily Mail's snaps are anything to go by...)
And of course there was Didier Drogba, taking center stage as he tends to do.
Excited to be on court at #NBALondon16 with @MarriottRewards! #AroundtheWorld #FriendofMarriott #rewarding pic.twitter.com/ACULncb3ao
— Didier Drogba (@didierdrogba) January 13, 2016
He put what he learned from three-time NBA champ Rick Fox to good use during a break in the game at the O2 Arena.
Drogba was also in attendance at Stamford Bridge for Wednesday's match. It's been all quiet on his pending transfer from Montreal back to Stamford Bridge over the past few days, but I expect that to change sooner rather than later.
So, that was a fun distraction, no doubt. Now, back to work!