State Of The Game: Is Shaq Right?

[SWedd523]

The small market I don't understand. If the Hornets went on a 20 game win streak the media would eat it up and they'd be on National TV. Kids with no talent are famous by making videos in their bedrooms. You can be popular anywhere.

Yep. it's pretty bunk at this point. Only benefit going to a big market is the night life and whatever

[yosemiteben]

The small market I don't understand. If the Hornets went on a 20 game win streak the media would eat it up and they'd be on National TV. Kids with no talent are famous by making videos in their bedrooms. You can be popular anywhere.

Yep. it's pretty bunk at this point. Only benefit going to a big market is the night life and whatever

Yeah it was a real shame how no one covered Cleveland when LeBron was there

[Braggins]

Ive been watching NBA since the 90s and I think the quality of play is better now than it has ever been. I don't think its even remotely close when comparing to the 80s/90s/00s.

[Vanderbilt_Grad]

I’ve read a lot here that I agree with.

For me the biggest issues are

1. Refs.
2. Media.
3. Media companies.
4. Sports betting.

Basically the league is shooting itself in the foot by allowing a system where stars & certain teams get favorable calls. The amount of flops and acting by players to influence the refs is annoying to watch as well.

Media wise I’m going to echo others, especially fatlever. We need more storytelling and a lot less of old stars bitching about today’s players and game. It’s not fun to watch bitter old men, and I do miss the storytelling that used to be a hallmark of league coverage. Shaq is a huge part of the problem he is complaining about. It’s also really hard Jokic, Giannis, SGA, etc. to shine in a media atmosphere that’s basically hostile to them. I honestly think that this all is a big part of why the NBA is moving away from TNT.

Company wise ESPN is making choices that hurt them in terms of who they have cover the league and then bitching about blowback. They made their choices, now they need to put their big boy pants on and live with the consequences of that. TNT is in the same situation. They have a popular show, but it’s also one that hurts the league long term. They had to know that it wouldn’t last forever. And finally – of course traditional numbers are down, more people than ever are streaming.

I feel like sports betting kind of magnifies all the other issues. It’s problematic by itself, but it gives the refs a reason to manipulate games, and even if they don’t everyone knows that they could for profit. It’s part of the reason that we hear about big markets all the time too – not just viewership, but raw number of potential betters.

[Liver_Pooty]

ESPN is killing the NBA. No one wants to hear every single day "can the Lakers win a championship" "Can the Lakers make the WC finals". It's every damn day. Literally.

[KembaWalker]

ESPN is killing the NBA. No one wants to hear every single day "can the Lakers win a championship" "Can the Lakers make the WC finals". It's every damn day. Literally.

i dunno, i think the NBA kind of sucks now and i havent watched cable TV regularly, let alone espn in years

but i do browse this site so its kind of the same thing. theres no way ESPN Lakers coverage is more obnoxious than reading zimpy27 posts all day

[yosemiteben]

Man I have loved the season this far, there are competitive games every night. My League Pass usage is at an all time high.

[Snidely FC]

BREAKING: Inside the NBA will be licensed to ESPN/ABC starting the 2025-26 season, per the Wall Street Journal (h/t NBA Insider Marc Stein).

The Inside crew has found a new home!