By now almost every sports fan has heard of it. The NBA's ratings are going down. The idea that fewer people are watching men's professional basketball is the subject of much debate, with a few leading theories.
Some point to a significant increase in the number of 3-pointers made league-wide as the culprit. Some people think media coverage It's too much of a negative of the actual product. Many people player injury — and the unreliable availability of stars — is to blame. Others believe that the league start playing at christmas Instead of October to avoid overlap with soccer.
Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark, one of the biggest names in basketball, also wants to know why fewer people are paying attention to the NBA. The almost unanimous Rookie of the Year said: new heights podcast She seems to be trying to figure out why ratings for this season are lower than in past years.
“I've asked a lot of people about this and why they think they're depressed,” she said.
Clark has his own theory as to why fewer people are watching the NBA this season, and when you think about it, it makes a lot of sense.
“Honestly, I think the average basketball fan doesn't seem to understand how great NBA players are, and they don't seem to put in the effort,” Clark said. “I promise they're trying. They're just so good. That's why it looks like they're not trying.”
A common complaint is that today's players don't play as hard or as physically as they used to. But that complaint often doesn't take into account how good the offensive players are. Many NBA teams play four or five 3-point shooters at the same time, so defenders can't overplay drives like they used to.
Clark also acknowledged the theory that basketball's early season ratings are depressed simply because of the opposing sport. College football and the NFL typically broadcast competing games in the first few months of the NBA season.
“It's hard to pinpoint why it's gone down. Now we're also competing with soccer, so we have to take that into account. Football is what Americans love most.”
Understandably, Clark doesn't think the NBA-wide record number of 3-point attempts is a concern. She holds numerous 3-point records herself, including the most 3-pointers made in a single season by a Division I basketball player, male or female. She also made more threes in her rookie season. WNBA More than any first-year player in league history.
“I love the 3-point shot,” Clark said, adding that he would like to see the NBA add a 4-point line.
Clark acknowledged common complaints about the physicality of the league and pointed out that the evolution of basketball is just part of the game.
“Obviously, the physicality of the league has changed a lot,” Clark said. “I wasn't there when it was more physical. Maybe people want more beef and more physicality, and people think it's softened.”
“But I think it's also because the skills have just changed. That's the great thing about basketball. Basketball is always evolving. It's going to be different than it was when MJ was playing, and in 10 years, it's going to be different. It would be different.”
