The NBA and NHL approach their All-Star breaks very differently, and the Pardon My Take crew believes one league is clearly outshining the other. On Monday’s episode, Barstool’s Big Cat and PFT Commenter discussed these contrasting events, emphasizing how the NHL’s revamped 4 Nations Face-Off has left the NBA All-Star Weekend trailing behind.
“The NHL absolutely bodied the NBA in terms of getting it right,” stated Dan Katz, known as Big Cat. He praised the 4 Nations tournament, highlighting how it outperformed the NBA All-Star Game. “The NHL knocked this out of the park. The guys cared a lot, and it was so much fun to watch USA-Canada on Saturday night.” PFT Commenter (Eric Sollenberger) supported this view, noting that the NHL’s 4 Nations tournament counteracts many criticisms fans have about the NBA All-Star festivities over the years.
“It was the complete opposite of the [NBA] All-Star Game,” he remarked, recalling how intense the matchup was right from the start. “There were three fights in the first ten seconds of the game. That’s awesome. Nothing stirs up excitement like a little pure, unadulterated nationalism. The NBA scratched the surface a bit with different teams featuring guys from TNT, but it doesn’t compare. Having USA against Canada really gets the blood going.”
The NHL got it right with the Four Nations tournament pic.twitter.com/sodT266IvC
— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) February 17, 2025
In contrast, the NBA faces challenges, highlighted by an overwhelming celebrity presence — and influence — at its All-Star Weekend, along with a jarring imbalance of commercials outnumbering actual basketball during Sunday’s game. It’s increasingly clear that the NBA’s All-Star format needs a major overhaul. Meanwhile, the NHL has successfully reverted to basics, harnessing the deep-rooted nationalism of hockey fans through its 4 Nations format. The success is evident, with 4.4 million viewers tuning in for Saturday’s USA-Canada match-up.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has suggested a Team USA vs. Team World format for future All-Star events. Still, the lingering question is: would NBA players genuinely invest enough to recreate the high-stakes intensity exhibited in the 4 Nations Face-Off?
The NHL has identified its winning formula for the All-Star break, leaving the NBA under pressure to find its own.
