The Psychology of Effort: What the NBA (and You!) Can Learn from the NHL
🏒 NBA vs NHL: A Culture Clash of Effort, Grit, and Identity
We have an all-out culture war on our hands, and we don’t need 3 fights to show who might win. The NHL and NBA All Star weekends were this past weekend, and boy, was there a show. First, some context: The NBA has struggled with poor-quality All-Star weekends for the past decade, scrambling to revive abysmal viewership.
Meanwhile, the NHL All Star break has thrived. With minimal bumps on the metaphorical ice, they’re skating free in their new format. The NHL now pits 4 teams from 4 countries against each other in a round-robin tournament over 3 days.
This year, amid political tensions, the USA vs Canada game exploded—3 fights in the first 5 minutes (yes, in their All-Star Game). The event drew 10.9 million viewers for the preliminary match and 16.1 million for the Championship. Meanwhile, NBA viewership hit 4.7 million, the second-lowest in history.
Former NHL star P.K. Subban summed it up: “We have a cultural problem… Larry Bird and Magic Johnson set the tone. My question for this generation is: Are you carving a better path for the future?”
But what defines sports culture? Why do NHL stars compete like it’s Game 7, while NBA stars coast? Let’s break down the psychology, incentives, and lessons.
🏋️♂️ Effort is Optional? Not in Hockey
Hockey demands intensity. Line changes, slap shots, collisions—constant motion is non-negotiable. Slow down, and you’re burned (or flattened). This aligns with Effort Justification: when something requires sacrifice, we value it more. Hockey’s physical toll forces players to go all-in. Basketball, however, rewards strategic effort—coasting on defense, saving legs, and chasing highlights. Cognitive dissonance plays a role: athletes align beliefs with actions. If LeBron James conserves energy, what does that signal about his priorities?
👥 Social Loafing: The NBA’s Unspoken Pact
With 10 elite NBA players on the court, effort becomes optional. “I won’t guard you if you don’t guard me.” This social loafing—reducing effort in group settings—stems from shared responsibility. In high school, I learned this the hard way: sprinting wind reps made teammates furious (“You’re making us look bad!”). The NHL’s culture rejects this. Slacking off risks injury or national pride (their new team-based format). Hockey’s collectivist mindset vs. the NBA’s individualism is stark.
Talent alone doesn’t win. Teams thrive on relentless effort, accountability, and collective purpose. Whether on ice or court, culture is the ultimate MVP. 🏆
- Dave Matthews, Head of The Focus 5 App
Shiffrin Goes For The Win ⛷️
Imagine winning an event 100 times! That's no strange thing for skier Mikaela Shiffrin, who just won her 100th World Cup race this past week. Her mental fortitude is incredible, as she underwent abdominal surgery for a severe puncture wound in December, yet has come back to further extend her record at the World Cup.
Speaking of Hockey... 🏒
Alex Ovechkin, a former #1 overall pick who plays for the Edmonton Oilers, is extremely close to surpassing a mark nobody thought was possible. On Sunday, Ovechkin scored 3 goals in Sunday's game, putting him at 882 goals in his career. That number puts the 39-year-old just 13 goals away from passing the great Wayne Gretzky in the All-Time Goals list -- even at 39, athletes like Ovechkin are continuing to push the limits!
From Zero-Star to Superstar đź’µ
NBA scouts have been packing into one specific college basketball gym, but not for a player who they might have expected. Blake Harper, Howard University's star freshman, was a zero-star recruit in high school yet has risen to become one of the nation's best freshmen, even getting a feature in The Washington Post. When you put in the effort and have the right mindset about your development, you never know what can happen!
🏆 Action Steps for Coaches
- Increase Accountability: Ambiguity breeds disengagement. Define expectations for every player, every game.
- Reward The Right Behaviors: Celebrate effort, not just highlights. Track grit metrics to show substance > spectacle.
- Foster Relentless Competition: Add stakes to practices: losing teams run sprints; winners earn bragging rights.
Want to up your mental game? Book a free 1:1 call with Trevor, our founder, below!
