I agree with this 100%. The only reason I watch the NBA is out of loyalty to the Knicks, my childhood team, but without that longstanding personal, visceral investment in the team’s success, the basketball itself is really boring compared to college, Euroleague, or FIBA 3x3.
There’s no room for a variety of approaches that give weaker teams an opportunity to meaningfully compete with the relatively few number of teams that have the kind of superstar you need to make a post season run. It’s just kind of boring unless YOUR teams is playing.
I think the “highlight reel” emphasis on individual play is geared way more at trying to grow interest in the game among kids than it is catering to the interests of fans who are more interested in the basketball itself.
If I had a dollar every time an NBA guy whips their head back suddenly and violently in anticipation of contact…
While we’re at it, the block-charge call needs to be heavily biased toward block. Strong takes to the hoop should be encouraged! There’s nothing worse than a dude playacting their way into charge call by sliding in at a moments notice and feigning square contact. Many of these could be no-calls; swallow the whistle a guys will stop falling like bowling pins.
I agree with this 100%. The only reason I watch the NBA is out of loyalty to the Knicks, my childhood team, but without that longstanding personal, visceral investment in the team’s success, the basketball itself is really boring compared to college, Euroleague, or FIBA 3x3.
There’s no room for a variety of approaches that give weaker teams an opportunity to meaningfully compete with the relatively few number of teams that have the kind of superstar you need to make a post season run. It’s just kind of boring unless YOUR teams is playing.
I think the “highlight reel” emphasis on individual play is geared way more at trying to grow interest in the game among kids than it is catering to the interests of fans who are more interested in the basketball itself.
If I had a dollar every time an NBA guy whips their head back suddenly and violently in anticipation of contact…
While we’re at it, the block-charge call needs to be heavily biased toward block. Strong takes to the hoop should be encouraged! There’s nothing worse than a dude playacting their way into charge call by sliding in at a moments notice and feigning square contact. Many of these could be no-calls; swallow the whistle a guys will stop falling like bowling pins.