Watch them on the bench, during timeouts, and you'll see it. And then you'll understand why they are, if not the toast of the town, at least the refreshing appetizer you weren't expecting.
It's because they talk. The coaches are out on the court discussing strategy, and the players are huddled around the five guys in the game, and there's a conversation going on. Talking among the players is optional, of course, as last season's team proved by sitting stone-faced and staring into space while waiting for the coaches to come and tell them what to do.
These players talk.