Many fans’ perception of the modern NBA starts with the barbershop talk style of TNT’s beloved Inside the NBA with Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley and Kenny “The Jet” Smith. It remains the best pre/post-game show in sports.
However, those are three players from another generation who — like virtually every older player — think the game reached its zenith when they played. There’s a “get off my lawn” vibe with that trio, who can often look down their nose at how the game has evolved since they were on the court.
That negativity is part of the problem — and not just that trio, but with game broadcasts and the media in general — and it ties into the league’s rating problems this season, Lakers coach J.J. Redick said before his team beat the Kings on Thursday night. When asked about the ratings issue and the rise in 3-point shots, Redick responded with this, via Sam Amick at The Athletic.
“I don’t think we … have done a good job of storytelling, of celebrating the game,” Redick said. “If I’m a casual fan and you tell me every time I turn on the television that the product sucks, well, I’m not going to watch the product. And that’s really what has happened over the last 10 to 15 years. I don’t know why. It’s not funny to me…
“This game should be celebrated,” Redick continued. “The league is more talented and skilled than it was 18 years ago when I was drafted. That’s a fact. There are more players that are excellent. There are more teams that are excellent…
“We don’t have anybody that’s willing to step up to the fact that this is an awesome game and we should talk about it and celebrate it in a positive way,” he said. “That doesn’t mean we don’t critique it. We should critique it, but we should celebrate it. Nobody’s doing that, and the people that are have a small niche following on Twitter. And frankly, I would argue as well, that everyone in our ecosystem pays too much attention to what is said on Twitter. And part of this whole ratings discussion is because people on Twitter are talking about it.”
Redick is not the first to complain about this, and it’s obvious when NBA shows are compared to NFL versions, where players and coaches are criticized; however, the game as a whole is celebrated.
That said, many fans — including LeBron James — do not like the number of 3-pointers in today’s game. That is another complex issue.
NBA ratings are down 19% this season year-over-year, but why is a complex stew of reasons: A tight election year that drew people’s focus at the start of the NBA season, a general move away from people watching traditional broadcast and particularly cable television, and the evolving way in which younger generations consume games — almost half of NBA viewing is now done via streaming, and few people sit and watch an entire broadcast regular season game anymore. (The NFL/college football, with its fewer games, becomes event viewing that bucks the trend that is hitting not just the NBA but college hoops, the NHL and other sports). As NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said recently, there is no singular “golden at bat” solution that would fix issues with the NBA game and its ratings.
How broadcasters treat the NBA game is one of those ingredients. However, the answer to fixing this issue is far more extensive than “take fewer 3-pointers.” Redick gets that.
