Why do pro basketball players chew gum whilst playing?

I'd be scared that they might be going up for a dunk and get slapped in the face and choke on the gum... do they just swallow the gum? Where do they hide it in their mouth?

Why do pro basketball players chew gum whilst playing?nba trade rumors

When breathing open-mouthed for several hours, the mouth becomes dry and parched...and thirst develops. Chewing gum works the salivary glands

and stimulates the production of spit...keeping the mouth moist.

Why do pro basketball players chew gum whilst playing?nba standings ,nba teams

I never really knew they chewed while playing.I wouldn't chew coz you can bite your tongue or something.
i dont know about pro ball, but i play for my highschool, and we all chew gum. I put it in the side of my mouth... it helps keep my mouth moist i guess, and i have something to chew on when i get "pumped"....make sense? haha
Maybe to keep from having a dry mouth they chew gum. They are moving a lot and only get a drink when there is a timeout
Because cookies get crumbs all over the floor.
c'mon...they do it to look cool. of course, mj was the first bball player that i remember seeing chewing gum while playing. so just like verything else he does...everyone else wants to be like mike.
i agree with heh8me2. it is probably because they can't drink while playing so that is how they keep there mouths moist and not all dry so they can keep playing. they probably put the gum to the side of there mouth and keep it there so they won't swallow it.