It’s no secret that the NBA faces an uphill battle.
The league’s ratings decline has extended well beyond the first week and has continued as Christmas Day, normally an NBA spectacle, approaches.
Many reasons have been discussed as to why ratings are down, but the common suggestion is that the regular season is looking a lot like the All-Star Game has been recently.
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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James gestures to a teammate during the first half against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena. (John E. Sokolowski/Imagn Images)
In recent years, the midseason contest has been filled with deep 3-pointers, uncontested dunks and almost non-existent defense. Now, we’re seeing a record pace of three-pointers made, missed, and made overall, while the lack of defense has become evident.
This year, the NBA All-Star Game will be a four-team tournament that the league hopes will add some competitiveness.
LeBron James admitted that “the last few years haven’t been a great All-Star Game,” but he knows the NBA is facing bigger problems, and the three-pointer could be largely to blame.
LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball during a game against the Utah Jazz on December 1, 2024 at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City. (Jamie Sabau/NBAE via Getty Images)
CELTICS HEAD COACH ADMITS HE ‘WOULD RATHER SEE SOMETHING ELSE’ AS NBA RATINGS DECLINE
“Listen, it’s a bigger conversation. It’s not just the All-Star Game, it’s our game in general. In our game, a lot of damn threes are shot. So it’s a bigger conversation than just the All-Star Game.” game,” James said Thursday.
James averages 5.7 three-pointers attempted per game; his career-high is eight from the 2021-22 season. He added that “something had to change” regarding the All-Star Game.
“I wasn’t part of the committee. It’s different, but I don’t know. We’ll see. We’ll see when we get there. It’s different. Obviously, any time you make any kind of change, there will be some.” [blowback]. I don’t know. I have my ideas about what might work, but I’m not going to do that. “We have to do something.”
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James reacts after scoring on a fast break layup against the Atlanta Hawks at Crypto.com Arena on March 18, 2024 in Los Angeles. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Game ratings on ESPN, ABC, TNT and NBA TV are down 25% from last year. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver recently pointed to the lack of cable television in homes as a contributing factor.
