2-Time NBA All-Star Calls Out Anyone Who Disliked Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show

Bad Bunny’s historic Super Bowl 60 halftime show split opinions across the internet. But at least one NBA star wasn’t having any of the negativity. As debates raged online over language, politics, and presentation, a 12-time NBA All-Star stepped in to shut down the criticism and defend the overall vibe of the performance.

Isaiah Thomas Defends Bad Bunny As Fans Clash Online

Former NBA star Isaiah Thomas made his stance clear shortly after the halftime show ended, directly calling out viewers who dismissed the performance.

“If you really say bad bunny’s performance was bad something is wrong with you,” Thomas wrote. “I didn’t know what he was saying (😂) but it was vibe no matter what. LOVE IS BETTER THAN HATE in every way.”

Thomas’ reaction echoed what many fans felt in real time: that the show didn’t need translation to land emotionally. Social media was flooded with praise for the energy, cultural representation, and atmosphere of the 13-minute set, with supporters emphasizing that music and performance transcend language barriers.

At the same time, the backlash was just as loud. Critics questioned the NFL’s choice of an all-Spanish halftime show, sparking culture-war-style arguments that dominated timelines even after the game resumed.

A Performance Built on Culture, Not Translation

Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, made history by becoming the first artist to deliver a Super Bowl halftime show entirely in Spanish. Rather than tailoring his performance for mainstream American expectations, he leaned fully into his Puerto Rican roots.

The set played out like a visual love letter to the island, featuring sugarcane fields, a traditional casita, a nail salon, and a bar, while he ran through hits like Tití Me Preguntó, MONACO, and BAILE INoLVIDABLE. Cameos from Lady Gaga, Ricky Martin, Pedro Pascal, Cardi B, Karol G, and Jessica Alba only added to the cultural celebration.

Instead of direct political attacks, Bad Bunny centered his message on unity. Two English statements stood out: a billboard reading “The only thing more powerful than hate is love” and a football he raised that said, “Together, We Are America.” For many viewers, that subtlety made the statement stronger.

Outfit Choices, Symbolism, and the Wider Backlash

Bad Bunny’s fashion also carried meaning. Dressed head-to-toe in cream looks by Zara, he wore a jersey featuring the name “Ocasio” and the number 64, widely interpreted as a reference to Puerto Rico’s history and losses during Hurricane Maria. Accessories included cream gloves, an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak watch, and his Adidas BadBo 1.0 sneakers, set to release the following day.

While fans praised the restraint and symbolism, the performance also drew harsh criticism from former President Donald Trump, who labeled the show “absolutely terrible” and “a slap in the face” to America, citing the Spanish-language performance and choreography.

That criticism only intensified support from Bad Bunny’s fans, many of whom saw the show as a rare moment of Latin culture taking center stage at the biggest sporting event in the world.

As Thomas’ reaction highlighted, the halftime show wasn’t about understanding every lyric. Rather, it was about feeling the moment. And for millions watching, Bad Bunny delivered exactly that.