It's no secret that the NBA faces an uphill battle.
The league's ratings decline extends far beyond the first week and continues even as Christmas Day, typically the NBA's spectacle, approaches.
There's a lot of debate as to why ratings are down, but the general consensus is that the regular season is starting to look a lot like the All-Star Game these days.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James gestures to his teammates during the first half against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena. (John E. Sokolowski/Imagn Images)
In recent years, midseason contention has been filled with deep 3-pointers, uncontested dunks, and near-zero defense. While deficiencies on defense are now evident, the overall pace of 3-pointers made, missed, and shot is at a record pace.
This year's NBA All-Star Game will be a four-team tournament, which the league hopes will be more competitive.
LeBron James admitted it hasn't been a great All-Star Game the last few years, but he knows the NBA is facing a bigger problem, and 3-point shooting may be the main reason.
LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball during a game against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center in Salt Lake City on December 1, 2024. (Jamie Sabau/NBAE via Getty Images)
Celtics head coach admits “I'd rather look elsewhere'' amid declining NBA ratings
“Listen, this is a bigger conversation. This isn't just the All-Star Game, this is our game in general. There's a lot of terrible three shooting in our game. I mean, this is bigger than just the All-Star Game. It's a conversation, it's a game,'' James said Thursday.
James averages 5.7 3-pointers per game. His career high is his eighth game of the 2021-22 season. He added that “something needed to change” regarding the All-Star Game.
“I wasn't on the committee. It's different, but I don't know. We'll see. We'll see when we get there. It's different. Obviously, we're not going to make any changes. Whenever you wake up, change always happens.''Some [blowback]. I don't know. I have an idea of what might work, but I'm not going to do it. Something has to be done. ”
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James reacts after making a fastbreak layup against the Atlanta Hawks on March 18, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. (Gina Ferrazzi/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Viewership for the game on ESPN, ABC, TNT and NBA TV is down 25% from last year. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver recently pointed to the lack of cable TV in homes as a factor.
Follow Fox News Digital X sports broadcastplease subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.
