I don't think the reason is race per se. Even the white players in the NBA act like ghetto superstars. They are all primadonas and what is supposed to be a team sport turned into a game with too much emphasis on individual showmanship. When I see an NBA game which is rare these days I just can't stand how they idolize all these stars like they are demigods. And everyone can wear the most outrageous color shoes, crazy hairstyle and ghetto tats and ghetto atmosphere.
Maybe more then anything what NHL and also Football has going for them is that the players wear helmets and armor so at least the teams still look uniform. The pay grade of the NBA is also much higher, so, that means more divas are on the court.