Help settle dispute on athleticism...

[BPTactical]

Conditioning wise I would think they are probably somewhat comparable. Both require good aerobic conditioning. B-Ball you are on the court full-time but you are not going balls out the entire time. An average shift on ice is 40-60 seconds but you are all out for that time. B-Ball requires a bit of explosive muscle work (aclactic conditioning IIRC) but nothing compared to hockey.
Play with a high level player and you are amazed at how they reach full speed in 3 strides. Forsberg, Sakic-their quads look like beer kegs.
By far the best conditioned player physically and mentally has to be the goaltender. He is on ice the entire game and requires strength, agility, cat reflexes, flexibility and brass balls. Do you have any idea what it takes to not flinch when somebody cranks a slap shot from 15' out from the net?
You can have all of the above but if you don't have a "head for the game" and constant laser intensity and focus you will only be so-so. A momentary mental lapse and Poof, the biscuit is in the basket.

JM, what make a player such as Gretzky and Roy, Belfour, Broduer etc great is not so much their athleticism but their "hockey head".
Gretzky KNEW where he was, where the puck was and his team mates were without looking.
Great goaltenders don't flop like fish and make spectacular saves.
The best save is the one you don't move to make, for you read the play correctly and played the position correctly.