Why doesn't the NHL have stars with personality like LeBron James or Conor McGregor?

[Neil Patrick Harris]

The team sport answer is really the right one. NHL stars just can't take over a game like NBA stars can. Same reason why the NFL and MLB don't really have stars like the NBA does.

If a player like McDavid has two goals, that's a good night for him, but it's not exactly star-making.

 

[Signupnow]

Sheltered upper class kids who haven't gone through much in life as you can see in their tributes from time to time where they have to overcome the death of the gramma, old people die. And due to this like many swedes for example they are very introvert and anxious in their soul. A simple conflict is the biggest of horrors and imagine my moderate soul make a tool of myself on TV? No way! In times where you warm up in rainbows it isn't a time to be "cool".

Does LeBron James or Connor warm up in rainbows?

 

[CowbellConray]

It has almost nothing to do with any of that, and everything to do with the nature of the game.

Hockey players don’t have big personalities in the media because it doesn’t help them win games.

Same reason defensive tackles and linebackers don’t spend a ton of time running their mouths in the press. The job is hard enough without you adding fuel to the fire yourself.

Do you know what Aaron Donald’s voice sounds like? Because I don’t - I assume James Earl Jones, but I don’t know, because I’ve never actually heard him speak. He starts every play six inches away from 1000lbs of super athletes who all bench as much or more as him.

What advantage does a personality give him in that situation?

Very naive post in its articulation. I absolutely know what Donald sounds like, and Donald is at least semi active in social media. He is quieter compared to other NFL stars.

There is absolutely some serious personality clash in the trenches of football. There is a great story about the Bills defense in 2014, where their defensive line would bark at the offense in pre play motions. And several defensive ends are known as being talkative both on and off the field.

Regardless, the point still remains, hockey culture shoots down media individuality, and Canadian culture ALSO shoots down individuality. The NBA has a very vocal culture, where social media is a driver of individual feelings and emotions. Meanwhile, in the NHL we applaud players who use “we” to describe successes and failures.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Lebron doesn't have personality. He has ego. He's one of the least charismatic superstars I've see in bball and I grew-up watching pre-champ MJ.

MJ, Kobe, Magic, Bird, Curry. Those guys had charisma.

Some of the new breed seem like emotionly staunted a-hos. Including Lebron and Durant.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

For McGregor, I don't think personality types that outlandish work in many team sports at the highest levels. For Lebron, the NHL already has lots of guys who quietly go about being amazing at their sport while being criticized for stupid little things that don't matter. Outside of when I put his foot in his mouth with the China/Hong Kong thing, Lebron is as agreeable as you average NHL star.

Difference is McDavid would not self-proclaim himself the GOAT, even if the fanbase called for it, which it didn't even do for Lebum. Most still consider MJ the GOAT and for good reasons.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Because we had idiots like this normalizing the idea that "over-celebrating" or showing the tiniest bit of flare was despicable and many players and fans as a result bought into the idea that you have to be "humble" in the NHL.

The irony of bitchin about flamboyancy and dressing flamboyant. Cherry has zero self-awareness

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Since 2002 only 4 NBA MVPs trophy winners have won the championship. 2003 Tim Duncan, LeBron 2012 & 2013 and Curry in 2017. So it doesn’t happen in the NBA often either.

Jordan did 4 times in 6 years. Shoulda been 6 in 6 if you ask fans.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Hockey is a very humbling sport....the best of the best can have slumps, can get hurt easily, careers can end quickly. I think NHL players know this and would rather not poke the hockey gods by being an out there type personality.

NBA superstars can literally win games for their teams, Lebron can carry a team nightly in his prime. McDavid can dominate games but he can't win games on his own. So that keeps him humble.

MMA requires a steady amount of confidence to be successful, you have to THINK you are going to win every time you fight. Some guys internalize that feeling, McGregor externalizes it....he also plays to the media A LOT as he knows his image is what makes him money.

Superstars in bball have more impact, but let's not pretend they can win alone.

MJ scored upwards of 35 ppg in over a full season's worths of playoff games before the 1991 playoffs. In his last two seasons before 91, he led the playoffs in PPG and total points two years in a row without even making the finals.

In Lebron's 4 championships he outscored his best teammate by 4.5 ppg on average, which is small if you consider MJ never finished under 10 points above Pip and averaged 12.5 over Pip in all their championships combined.

 

[TBL5612]

Lebron doesn't have personality. He has ego. He's one of the least charismatic superstars I've see in bball and I grew-up watching pre-champ MJ.

MJ, Kobe, Magic, Bird, Curry. Those guys had charisma.

Some of the new breed seem like emotionly staunted a-hos. Including Lebron and Durant.

Lebron is the least likeable player in the nba

 

[BrokenFace]

Difference is McDavid would not self-proclaim himself the GOAT, even if the fanbase called for it, which it didn't even do for Lebum. Most still consider MJ the GOAT and for good reasons.

People were hating on Lebron for dumb reasons before he called himself the GOAT.

 

[Zalos]

Like who...?

 

[dalewood12]

Hockey is increasingly a rich kid sport.

Growing up in a well off background, there are certain norms around respectability and behaviour, and these continue when they become sport pros

 

[jbeck5]

What kinda argument is this? A person can be a bad person even if he's good at hockey.

Where did I say that? Bold my comment where I said a person can't be a bad person if they're good at hockey.

I was saying that a person who's had a couple run-ins with the law isn't automatically a bad person or a bad employee.

And nothing you've said countered that point. You just created a strawman.

I can't believe someone liked your bs strawman argument.

Nope teammates loved him, 9 players went to Nashville after the season ended, to play golf at his course for 4 days.

Exactly. You can have a history with the law and still be a great person and teammate and employee.

 

[Cant Kick On 1 Foot]

Anyone see Kane last night with his sleeves rolled up in warmups with no elbow pads showing off his tatts? Pretty cool stuff. We need more of that kinda flashy stuff, amiright??
Ha, even Bieksa said he’s never seen anything like that, pretty much calling out Kane like wtf are you doing…

NHL does not need more of that type of personality… they need their stars to continue to let their game do the talking.

 

[HisIceness]

Lebrons personality is saying "Taco Tuesday!!!!". Not really a ringing endorsement.

 

[Howboutthempanthers]

I mean, I watch the sport..... for the sport. Always have. I never got this "they need to be great in interviews". Who cares what they have to say, or do outside of the game? People making a clown out of themselves does not impress me.
Plus, TV is nothing but reality shows nowadays. I would think people would appreciate a break from that.

 

[SkinsFan09]

We’re lucky not to have garbage human beings like LeBron James

LeBron by all accounts is a very involved and good parent, has never been in trouble with the law despite being in the spotlight for 20 years. Never cheated on his wife. Not seeing where the garbage human descriptor is coming from?

 

[KPower]

Who cares? It’s hockey, enjoy it.

You want stars with personality, go to instagram

 

[Gillings]

Because, Hockey players usually have all creativity and personality beat out of them growing up by the coaches parents etc that are trying to create multi-billion dollar robots for the Beast System.

 

[Bizz]

Nobody should be modeling their personalities after anyone in the NBA or MMA.

 

[LuckyDay]

Snoop makes a good point. The league and the media keeps getting rid of the interesting personalities.

 

[BigEezyE22]

Last thing I want is stars who act like my children in a restaurant.

Just do your job.

 

[Kryten]

Hockey is increasingly a rich kid sport.

Growing up in a well off background, there are certain norms around respectability and behaviour, and these continue when they become sport pros

Coke, copenhagen, and not stopping when hearing “no”

 

[BoogerSugar]

I’m shocked at the LeBron slander. His mother was a drug addicted street worker and used to leave LeBron for weeks at a time to live with friends/coaches etc growing up and doesn’t even know who is father is. Had it not been for his God given talent who knows what he would have become.

Instead he is one of the most decorated NBA players of all time, gives ridiculous amounts of money to charity, built a school, has never been in the press for anything too negative, seems to be a super involved loving parent, is able to make fun of himself, always gives his true opinion, PASSES AND MAKES HIS TEAMMATES BETTER etc.

I think if we want to compare NHL legends to NBA ones, the closet would be Dirk Nowitzki and Tim Duncan when it comes to boring/mundane guys.

 

[bebl]

Snoop makes a good point. The league and the media keeps getting rid of the interesting personalities.
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Cherry is/was biggest reason we don't have personalities because every time someone celebrated goal too much etc he gave huge pile of shit to that player and huge amount of upcoming nhl players saw that.

I don't really understant that some people here are like "Binnigton showing some personality and people hate" of course they hate him, he is the ultimate antagonist abusing goalies immunity while giving cheap shots. It doesn't mean everyone should love the guy if he has some kind of personality, the idea is evoke feelings and potentially make people to choose sides.