The NBA has a ratings problem, and there are many hands in the pot that could be responsible.
Load management, poor quality of basketball, and lack of North American star players have led to a decline in basketball ratings that has left fans leaving left and right. 25% decrease compared to previous year According to Sports Media Watch, it's more than 50% overall since 2013.
Basketball podcaster and media mogul Bill Simmons has been following the faces of the basketball world since the 2010s and believes LeBron James and Stephen Curry are both part of the problem and part of the solution. I am.
“There was a lot of 'What's wrong with the NBA?'” Simmons said on the Bill Simmons Podcast. “The Steph and LeBron thing was so good that it was actually the solution and the problem.”
Simmons explained that the Oklahoma City Thunder, who lead the NBA's Western Conference, did not play on Christmas Day, and neither did the Milwaukee Bucks and star player Giannis Antetokounmpo.
He explained that the spotlight is not on the star players who govern the league.
“It's happening at the expense of everyone else,” Simmons said. “[Christmas Day] It's the 8 o'clock location, the best location, after football is over, and that's the signature game. And it's basically two .500 teams and their teams that have been in the league since 2003 and 2009, respectively, but OKC wasn't on Christmas Day. Giannis wasn't there on Christmas Day. [Victor Wembanyama] It's kind of like I'm doing this to myself because it's buried at the beginning of the day, but at the same time, I get it, because Steph and LeBron were great. ”
“I don't care if the glass is half full or half empty, but the fact that Steph and LeBron's game was so great and sucked so much oxygen out of that day is actually part of the problem. Department.”
James led the Lakers, and Austin Reeves hit the game-winning layup with one second left for a thrilling 115-113 victory.
After the game, James declared Christmas Day “our day” in response to the NFL's attempt to take over Christmas.
The question to ask is a prime-time schedule with a player like Joel Embiid headlining Christmas, and playing a game knowing there's a 50-50 chance that he'll play or not. The question is whether basketball can take the risk. play.
But the point about Antetokounmpo is a good one.
“Greek Freak” is exactly what it sounds like. Durable, hardworking, funny, and a fierce competitor, but doesn't make many friends.
The NBA was quick to boast about its Christmas ratings spike. Lakers vs. Warriors drew more viewers More than any regular season game in NBA history.
Three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic doesn't seem to have much interest in becoming a star in America. Luka Doncic spends most of his time in Europe during the off-season.
James, who turns 40 on Dec. 30, is still playing at a high level, but there's no question that other teams or players can do as well.
At this point, neither the Lakers under James nor the Warriors under Curry are true NBA title contenders. Barring an unexpected trade, the NBA Completion looks impossible due to new CBA agreement With this pointeger.
