NBA All-Star weekend was a total disaster, with fan interest fading and viewership hitting new lows. The game lacked true intensity, and it felt like a casual scrimmage rather than the league’s best talents showcasing their basketball skills.
Now, NHL legend P.K. Subban has called out what’s wrong with the league, and his words hit the mark.
P.K. Subban Finds Fault in NBA’s Current Culture
On ESPN’s “Get Up,” Subban, the former NHL defenseman, openly criticized NBA players for lacking intensity, contrasting their effort with the passionate mindset of hockey players, especially during the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.
Subban began by emphasizing the fundamental differences between hockey and basketball, making it clear that NHL players always put maximum effort into any event they sign up for.
“Hockey’s a different sport from the NBA. You can’t compare the cultures because of the way the game is played,” Subban said
“You can step on an NBA floor and go through the motions. You can’t do that in hockey. The culture of our sports is that you have to play with passion, you have to be willing to fight, and you have to be willing to leave it on the ice. That’s what fans are investing in. So for us, when we charge $1,500 for a ticket, fans know what they are getting.”
This is by far the BEST breakdown of why the NBA product sucks today.
He @PKSubban1 says it in the most respectful way possible.
— Patrick Bet-David (@patrickbetdavid) February 20, 2025
Subban’s comments came after the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off championship game between the USA and Canada broke viewership records, garnering 9.3 million viewers, with 10.4 million watching at its peak. The event proved the points made by the hockey legend that, when athletes compete with passion and pride, fans respond.
Meanwhile, the NBA’s All-Star Game has been trending downward, averaging just 4.72 million viewers this year — a 13% drop from 2024 and barely above the record-low 4.59 million in 2023.
Subban Questions NBA Players’ Commitment to the Game
Subban then directly challenged NBA players, questioning their motivation and commitment to the game.
“This was the most viewed game that we’ve had in years. And you see it; it’s because it’s not just based on the skill and talent — it’s based on pride, honor, and playing for the guy next to you,” Subban said.
“I got a question for the NBA players — what the hell are you playing for? What are you playing for? It’s not about the money; you make all the money. What, are you injured? There’s a difference between hurt and injured. Are you hurt or are you injured? There’s a difference. In hockey, we play hurt, we play injured. That is the culture of sports; it has always been that way.”
Subban’s remarks highlight a growing criticism of NBA stars sitting out games due to load management or minor injuries. LeBron James and Anthony Edwards, two of the biggest names in the NBA, backed out at the last moment, citing injuries, leaving the NBA no time to find a replacement for them. It’s perhaps one of the reasons viewership of the NBA All-Star Game plummeted.
“The NBA has an issue.”
The former Norris Trophy winner didn’t stop there. He pointed to legendary athletes who set a different standard for leadership and commitment.
“The NBA has that issue that they gotta work on. You have to create a better culture for your players. It starts with the leader. This issue, there was no issue when [Michael] Jordan was around. There was no issue when Kobe [Bryant] was around. There was no issue when Sidney Crosby was around. There was no issue when Wayne Gretzky was around because those are true leaders. They lead by example.”
Subban praised how NHL players took ownership of making the 4 Nations Face-Off a must-watch event, implying that NBA players lack the same initiative.
“4 Nations worked because the players are all in. They are all in. When is the NBA going to do that? Because, you know, I haven’t sat down and watched the NBA consistently since Kobe. Since Kobe died, I have not sat down and watched the NBA consistently. I love basketball and love the players,” Subban said.
“I think LeBron is great. I think KD [Kevin Durant] is great. Stephen Curry — I love watching them. But you gotta be on the court. You have to be there. And when you are there, you have to go all in. The fans have to feel that they are getting their money’s worth.”
Subban’s viral comments come at a time when the NHL is seeing a surge in interest. The 4 Nations Face-Off broke viewership records, while NHL arenas played to 96.2% capacity last season. The 2023-24 NHL regular season attracted nearly 22.9 million fans, achieving a 2% increase from the previous season, and projected revenues for the 2024-25 season are expected to exceed $6.6 billion.
Subban’s message was loud and clear: It’s all about commitment. Fans can tell when athletes truly care. And right now, he believes NHL players are setting the standard while the NBA struggles to keep up.
