Both the NBA and the NHL were on their respective all-star breaks this month, but for once, Hockey trampled absolutely basketball.
That’s because the NHL chose their new “4 Nations Face-off”, which resulted in the most seen non-Stanley Cup games since 2019.
Meanwhile, the NBA skills competition was the least ever, and the game itself had the second best viewers of all time.
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Steph Curry and LeBron James react in the second half to France in the gentlemen’s basketball gold medal. (Rob Schumacher-usa Tod Sports)
The success of the 4 Nations tournament, which was definitely benefited from politics between the United States and Canada, has led to a conversation about whether the NBA could follow.
However, Stephen A. Smith said Friday that American NBA players would not be interested because they are afraid of the result.
“Team USA fears they would get their a-kicked off by the international players. I’d say that on national TV: The international players will bust their stay behind. Yes, they would,” Smith said at “First Take” Friday. “Not only because their skills set are on par with them, but because they care and they are forced by their audience from their homeland more than (Americans).”
Kevin Durant, No. 7 in the US Lord’s national team, looks at in the US-men’s national team practice at Palais des Sports Marcel-Ccerdan on July 25, 2024 in Paris, France. (Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
Canadian Anthem Singer at 4 Nations Championship Changes Texts in Political Jab against Trump
It’s completely taken as the Americans have won eight of the last nine Olympic gold medals – but it’s no secret that the rest of the world catches up with the United States.
Maybe no individual country could overtake the best of the United States, but if there were, for example, a Ryder Cup-style team full of European players on a list, it could be a different story. That would put guys like Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antentokoumpo, Luka Doncic and Victor Wembanyama all on a team.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, #34 by Milwaukee Bucks, in action against Chicago Bulls during the first half of the United Center on February 16, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Canada defeated the United States on Thursday Thursday in 4 Nations Face-off Championship, with Connor McDavid network the golden goal. Canada moved to 14-4-1 against Americans all the time in the best-to-best format, with three of these wins including two gold medals and 2014 Olympic semi-final matchup.
