Some of the world’s best basketball players were in Rio this week for the NBA ‘Global Games’ match between Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers, and it seems that many of them have fallen in love with the 2016 Olympic Games host city.

Before Saturday night’s game at the Rio Olympic Arena, which Cleveland won 122-119 in overtime, players from both teams visited some of the Marvellous City’s most iconic landmarks.

“It’s a great place and it’s going to be hard for the athletes to stay focused and practise with that beach out there,” joked Miami forward Chris Bosh, an Olympic gold medallist at the Beijing 2008 Games.

“The people are very nice and beauty is all around – you’ve got the mountains, the valleys, the beaches – it’s going to be a spectacular stage for the Olympics.”

Chris Bosh and his wife Adrienne enjoy breakfast at sunrise with Christ the Redeemer (Photo: Twitter)

The 2.11m tall Bosh visited Rio’s most famous giant, the Christ the Redeemer statue, with his wife Adrienne, who posted a photo of their romantic picnic breakfast there on Twitter (above). Bosh’s team-mates also visited the landmark and were equally blown away. “It’s breathtaking,” said centre Justin Hamilton. “You get up there, you look around, and it gets you thinking about everything.”

Miami guard Dwayne Wade, who owns one gold and one bronze Olympic medal, was happy with the team’s accommodation, saying: “The first thing I saw when I woke up and opened my window was the beach. It’s a beautiful thing.”

Danny Granger, the Heat forward-guard who won a world title in 2010, may be unlikely to play for the USA in 2016, but he intends to be in town for the Games anyway. “I love Rio,” he said. “It is a very nice city and people are very cool here. I am definitely coming back to watch the Games in 2016.”

Brazilian Anderson Varejão (fourth right) took his Cleveland team-mates to the Sugarloaf (Photo: Inovafoto/Wander Roberto)

Cleveland, meanwhile, had their own personal guide in the shape of Brazilian centre Anderson Varejão, who has played for the Cavaliers for 10 years. He took his team-mates to Copacabana Beach, the Christ statue and Sugarloaf Mountain.

After visiting the latter, Varejão said: “I told them to be ready to see one of the best views they would ever see in their lives. They told me I was right. It’s amazing. I’m happy that they are really enjoying the city.”

Coach David Blatt said: “My career has taken me to many different places, but this is one of the most spectacular places I have ever been. It’s great for the team that these guys can do it together.”

Cleveland point guard Kyrie Irving, elected the most valuable player as USA won last month’s FIBA World Cup, was also enjoying the pre-season tour. “The food is amazing and people are great,” he said. “And it makes a nice change to the weather in Cleveland.”

Cleveland Cavaliers stars Kevin Love and LeBron James took time out to relax on Copacabana beach (Photo: Cavs.com)

Check out our photo gallery of the game: