I understand exactly what you are saying. However, you said this:
"and basketball is preparing you for...well...basketball"
I'm saying you don't really mean that, and by your last post, it's obvious you don't.
Moving on to your point about preparing you for life or death situations. Sure, coaches' boot camps and basketball practices aren't preparing you for something so extreme. It's not preparing you to avoid dying. However, it is preparing you for life. Boot camps in the military prepare you for discipline. They also challenge you physically and mentally so that you are able to handle pressure situations. Sports teaches you the same thing. You set goals, and you push yourself to the extreme, both physically and mentally to reach those goals. Sports gives you discipline and the tools you need to succeed in life. So, just because it's not a polarizing situation of life or death, the intentions are the same.
I am not sure why I am being labelled "argumentative." I thought the comparison was ridiculous and have pretty much spent the rest of the time responding to questions about why I believe that's the case in pretty short responses.
Not everyone has to agree with everyone on every topic you know.