I just hope that the motherf***in OP realizes that hockey players are geared up with protection and pads while basketball players just tanktops and shorts on.
Yeah, and padding would make basketball less athletic with it being harder to move. I think the frictionless surface and being on skates would make padding in hockey necessary even without the physicality. But adding it unnecessarily to basketball would rob it of what makes it great, which is it being a sport that revolves pure, explosive athleticism the most IMO.
Not talking about the OP, but I never understood sports fans who want all sports to be the same, I like each big 4 sport for its unique quality. Plus as a practical purpose, I think people should have the option to play sports that aren't violent/overly physical.