by Many fans’ perception of the modern NBA begins with the barbershop talk style of TNT’s popular series “Inside the NBA,” starring Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley and Kenny “The Jet” Smith. It remains the best pre/post game show in sports.
However, these are three players from a different generation who, like virtually every older gamer, believe the game reached its peak when they played. There’s a certain “get off my lawn” vibe about this trio, which can often look down on how the game has evolved since they were on the pitch.
That negativity is part of the problem — not just of this trio, but of game broadcasts and the media in general — and it’s tied to the league’s scoring problems this season, Lakers coach JJ Redick said before his team announced Thursday night Kings defeated. When asked about the quota problem and the increase in 3-point shots, Redick replied: via Sam Amick at The Athletic.
“I don’t think we did a good job … of storytelling and celebrating the game,” Redick said. “If I’m a casual fan and every time I turn on the TV you tell me the product sucks, then that’s good.” I won’t watch the product. And that’s exactly what has happened in the last 10 to 15 years. I don’t know why.
“This game should be celebrated,” Redick continued. “The league is more talented and skilled than it was 18 years ago when I was selected. That is a fact. There are more players who are excellent. There are more teams that are excellent…
“We don’t have anyone willing to admit that this is a great game and we should talk about it and celebrate it positively,” he said. “That doesn’t mean we don’t criticize it. We should criticize it, but we should celebrate it. Nobody does that, and the people who do have a small following on Twitter. And honestly, I would also argue that everyone in our ecosystem pays too much attention to what is being said on Twitter. And part of this whole ratings discussion is because people are talking about it on Twitter.”
Redick isn’t the first to complain about this, and that’s clear when you compare NBA shows to NFL versions where players and coaches are criticized; However, the game as a whole is celebrated.
That means, Many fans – including LeBron James – don’t like the number of 3-pointers in today’s game. This is another complex issue.
NBA ratings are down 19% this season compared to last year, but there’s a complex set of reasons for that: a close election year that caught people’s attention at the start of the NBA season, a general turn-off from viewers of traditional broadcasts and especially cable television, and the evolving way younger generations consume games – almost half of NBA viewership is now via streaming, and few people sit and watch an entire broadcast regular game anymore season on. (NFL/college football, with its fewer games, is becoming the event viewer, bucking the trend sweeping not just the NBA but also college basketball, the NHL and other sports.) Like NBA commissioner Adam Silver recently said, there is no single “Golden at Bat” solution that would fix problems with the NBA game and its ratings.
The way broadcasters handle the NBA game is one of those factors. However, the answer to fixing this problem is far broader than “take fewer 3-pointers.” Redick understands this.
