US NBA stars ‘fear they’d get their a** kicked’ in 4 Nations-style international tournament, claims Stephen A. Smith

US NBA stars 'fear they'd get their a** kicked' in 4 Nations-style international tournament, claims Stephen A. Smith

Stephen A. Smith has claimed American NBA stars would reject the idea of an international All-Star break. 

Both the NBA and NHL had their respective All-Star breaks over the past week but the hockey world emerged with the upper hand. 

The NHL introduced its initial 4 Nations Face-Off, featuring the USA, Canada, Sweden and Finland battling it out on the international stage, which, amid a backdrop of rising political tensions, resulted in a mᴀssive increase in interest in the sport. 

The international tournament’s final thriller between the USA and Canada smashed  records with 9.25 million tuning in in America, while viewership for the NBA All-Star Game was almost at an all-time low. 

However, Smith claimed that the USA basketball stars would resist trying to replicate the success of the 4 Nations because they’re too scared of their international rivals, despite claiming gold at last year’s Olympics. 

‘Team USA fears they’d get their a** kicked by those international players. I’m going to say it on national television: the international players will bust their living behinds. Yes they would,’ Smith said on ‘First Take’ Friday. 

Stephen A. Smith LeBron James

Stephen A. Smith claimed US NBA stars will reject the idea of an international All-Star break

Canada and Team USA played out a thrilling final in the NHL's inaugural 4 Nations

Canada and Team USA played out a thrilling final in the NHL’s inaugural 4 Nations 

“Team USA fears they’d get their ᴀss kicked by those international players.” – Stephen A. Smith on why the NBA won’t follow the NHL’s lead with the All-Star Game pic.twitter.com/ZkdiBRNOg7

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 21, 2025

‘Not just because their skillset is on par with them, but because they care, and they’re compelled by their audience from their homelands more so than (the Americans).’

It was a controversial take from the sports analyst, considering the USA has won eight of the last nine Olympic gold medals. 

But Smith believed the medal tally would prove irrelevant as he claimed the compeтιтion was getting тιԍнтer and тιԍнтer.  

‘Look at the Olympic compeтιтion and how stiff it has gotten,’ he continued. ‘Those players collectively on their respective teams don’t compare to Team USA but they gave them a run for their money. Why? Because they go all out. Because they ain’t playing.’ 

The NHL’s 4 Nations finished in thrilling fashion when the USA and Canada went head to head in Thursday’s final. 

Read More Donald Trump and ’11th province’ USA ruthlessly mocked by Canadians as 4 Nations taunting backfires on president article image

With tensions between the two countries at a boiling point thanks to President Donald Trump’s recent threats to impose tariffs on their neighbors and ceaseless taunting, the final, which Canada won 3-2 in overtime, made for primetime viewing. 

The overtime thriller was a rematch of a brutal round-robin clash between the two nations, which saw three fights in the opening nine seconds. 

Furthermore, Trump’s comments have led to frayed relations between the two countries, with Canada booing the American national anthem in Montreal during the tournament.

American fans returned the favor to ‘O Canada’ at the 4 Nations Face-Off final in Boston Thursday, which itself was altered by a Canadian singer as a form of protest against Trump.

Related Posts

Why Luka Doncic’s new 5m Lakers deal could force LeBron James to demand a trade

Why Luka Doncic’s new $165m Lakers deal could force LeBron James to demand a trade

There’s a changing of the guard at the Los Angeles Lakers and as things stands, LeBron James isn’t completely comfortable with it. The trade to bring Luka…

Ex-NBA star Nate Robinson admits he ‘doesn’t have long to live’ if he can’t get a kidney replacement, as three-time Dunk Contest champion tells Mail Sport he’d only survive ‘a week or two’ without dialysis machine

Ex-NBA star Nate Robinson admits he ‘doesn’t have long to live’ if he can’t get a kidney replacement, as three-time Dunk Contest champion tells Mail Sport he’d only survive ‘a week or two’ without dialysis machine

Most watched Sport videos Two years after announcing his renal kidney failure diagnosis, ex-NBA star Nate Robinson has admitted he ‘doesn’t have long to live’ if he…

NBA owner makes record 5m bid to buy WNBA team and relocate to Boston… but sale could have compeтιтion

NBA owner makes record $325m bid to buy WNBA team and relocate to Boston… but sale could have compeтιтion

The group led by former NBA owner Steve Pagliuca has officially made a record $325million offer to by the Connecticut Sun. However, his bid might not be…

Chicago Bulls’ uncontested fast break goes hilariously wrong as Torrey Craig throws himself an alley-oop off the backboard only to be thwarted by TEAMMATE Andre Drummond: ‘They both missed!’

Chicago Bulls’ uncontested fast break goes hilariously wrong as Torrey Craig throws himself an alley-oop off the backboard only to be thwarted by TEAMMATE Andre Drummond: ‘They both missed!’

Most watched Sport videos Chicago Bulls forward Torrey Craig thought he had an uncontested fast break in Tuesday’s loss to the New York Knicks. Teammate Andre Drummond…

Draymond Green asks Warriors teammate Klay Thompson for his ‘brutally honest’ take on his frequent ejections for Golden State: ‘We just need you’

Draymond Green asks Warriors teammate Klay Thompson for his ‘brutally honest’ take on his frequent ejections for Golden State: ‘We just need you’

Most watched Sport videos Draymond Green was given a heartfelt reply by his Golden State Warriors teammate Klay Thompson when he asked the guard for his ‘brutally…

Tennessee judge rules NBA star Ja Morant DID act in self-defense when Grizzlies guard punched a teenager during a pickup basketball game at his Memphis mansion

Tennessee judge rules NBA star Ja Morant DID act in self-defense when Grizzlies guard punched a teenager during a pickup basketball game at his Memphis mansion

Most watched Sport videos A Tennessee judge has ruled that Ja Morant acted in self defense when the Grizzlies star punched a teenager at his Memphis mansion…