NBC analyst Mike Milbury regrets calling P.K. Subban a “clown” for his pre-game routine. However, he’s not exactly apologizing for the incident.
On the weekend, Milbury called out the Nashville Predators star defenseman after claiming Subban’s warm-up routine was showboating, saying he had “to keep it under control,” and that he didn’t “have to be a clown out there.”
Nobody has more fun. #Subban pic.twitter.com/XTj996B1LO
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) April 29, 2017
Milbury was roundly criticized for the comments. On Tuesday, the NBC broadcaster offered remarks to Joe Rexrode The Tennessean that weren’t exactly apologetic.
He did admit calling Subban a “clown” was a regret.
“…I regret the use of that terminology. I wish I had said something different. I wish I had used the word distraction, ‘Do you think this is a distraction?’ That probably would have been, if I had a mulligan, I would probably use that phrase.”
However, he doubled down on disliking Subban’s pre-game routine, implying that it was a distraction that could “impact” teammates.
“The game is supposed to be fun and I’m glad that P.K. Subban is part of the game. I’m glad he’s a personality,” Milbury said. “I think it’s wonderful that he has that kind of approach. At the risk of repeating myself, the only question was, does that distracting kind of behavior impact anyone else?”
Impact teammates? Nashville is 6-1 and the talk of the NHL playoffs—I’d say, the impact has been nothing but a positive one.
It’s simultaneously rich and completely unsurprising Milbury’s “apology” would further bash Subban. Milbury would never admit he was wrong, as it would contradict his crusade to banish fun from hockey.
Obviously, Subban did nothing wrong, besides enjoy the game too much, which is an absurd criticism. Milbury’s archaic takes really don’t belong in today’s day and age. Get over yourself, Mike.