I've ridden in shorts with no padding, as well as a variety of different configurations and thicknesses of pads. In my experience, the longer my ride, the more a high-quality pad makes a significant difference in my comfort, and my ability to keep performing at my best.

I will not be fine with basketball shorts. I highly prefer my outdoor plumbing components to be kept out of the way and held in place by the friendly support of lycra. I also have very little tolerance for flapping fabric while I ride. Cycling clothing is built for the specific demands of cycling. Why should I use clothing optimized for a different sport? Do you also recommend that surfers wear ski jackets?