The NBA Is Unwatchable! (A Fan’s Perspective)

The NBA is simply unwatchable in its current state. It’s mediocre at best, and the last Olympic Games reminded us of what we’ve been missing.

I’m actually shocked that they managed to wreck such a brilliant league. I mean, how do you go from the 90s to today and call it progress?

If I were to surmise what caused the decline, I would suggest “money”.

My Basketball History and Credentials

For the record, I’m not some ex-college player or some child star; I used to play the sweet game of basketball in Hackney Downs Park in the mid-90s.

Just a bunch of disenfranchised poor kids, most living undesirable lives, turning up in the summer’s baking sun to play outdoors until their bodies couldn’t play anymore.

At home, I’d watch the NBA whenever I could, which generally consisted of a 30-minute roundup show.

If and when an NBA game was aired in the UK, I’d happily stay up to watch it.

I’m a fan.

That’s it.

A couple of years ago, I could finally afford the NBA LEAGUE PASS and purchased it in hopes of re-engaging with the League after decades of work (with only the occasional catch-up).

I even got a TV license (something I haven’t needed for many years) just to watch live games.

It was a big mistake because it only served to illustrate how bad the NBA is.

The most notable and disappointing thing I saw was that these guys don’t seem to care whether they win or lose.

I’ve played games in Hackney Downs Park with more passion and intensity than the current crop of NBA stars display—and we weren’t playing for anything!

If the players don’t care about the outcome of a game, then why should I?

The Current NBA Is Unwatchable

I’m frustrated that the game I love is now pants.

Or maybe I should say how the NBA is now pants.

• Lack of Passion
• Lame Regular Season Games
• 3-Point Basketball
• Foul Calling
• Game Length and Flow
• Blindingly Stupid Paint Jobs for the In-Season Tournament
• Lack of Flair and Spontaneity (muscle memory overkill)
• League App Forcing You to Watch Ads to Upgrade
• Trying to Be Cool with Culture

The NBA is far from the prestige league of my youth.

Of course, the modern world is full of companies selling out their brands for short-term profits, only to shed crocodile tears later on when their cash cow starts limping.

It’s the rest of us, the ones who enjoyed the extra quality or loved what the brand represented, who ultimately mourn the loss.

And once a shitty new substandard has been established, it becomes near impossible to regain the lost ground.

However, with the NBA, I can’t point to one person and say it’s their fault.

It seems like a lot of people could share the blame.

I guess the NBA itself has the most power to change things. After all, it could establish new rules.

For example, it could decide that early-season games are just as important as late-season games (meaning, no playoffs).

They could also stop the refs from overprotecting the stars. When I was a kid, basketball was a contact sport, on and off the NBA court.

And I’m guessing the NBA would have some say in the current blinding Tournament paint jobs, League App Ads, and constant game interruptions.

However, teams and players also make bad decisions that negatively impact the game.

It feels like too many people are making crazy amounts of money, and at some point, they collectively decided that the “product” need not be real.

-That a mediocre perception of sport is enough to keep the cash flowing.

Lack of Passion (Unwatchable NBA), Terrible All-Star Games

I won’t name names, but some NBA players have made some ridiculous statements concerning their wages.

Completely oblivious to the working person’s plight.

There is a massive disconnect between the League’s millionaires and their viewing public, and it’s noticeable and relevant.

-And the new In-Season Tournament Bonuses don’t seem to help.

On the court, it’s as if a player’s main concern is avoiding injury- as if an injury would stop the money train that they’re on (and it’s true, it could).

But if the fans stop watching, there’ll be no money train for anyone. And at the end of the day, you’re on the damn train because you professed to be able to do something quite unusual, namely, play elite basketball multiple times a week, as necessary, to entertain the watching public.

It doesn’t matter what the excuses are for some players’ lack of interest because the fans notice it.

After paying for the LEAGUE PASS, I remember my enthusiasm about the upcoming All-Star game.

I couldn’t wait and stayed up late into the night (UK time) to watch it.

I sat through all the BS nonsense filler and stupid trying-to-be-cool garbage, hoping that the main event would be better.

But within a minute of starting, it was clear that this was just one big giant piss-take.

It felt like the players in that game were having a laugh at my expense.

It was killing my love for the NBA.

Old Cynic Life, December 6th, 2024

My final thoughts:

I can’t play basketball anymore, but I love to watch it.

Sadly, even though I can afford the NBA LEAGUE PASS, I won’t get it because I don’t want to encourage the basketball they play or their value system.

The basketball I grew up with was much closer to what we saw at the Olympics.

However, once it was over, it was back to the NBA—and we really shouldn’t feel that way.

The NBA should be it.

If you have an opinion, please feel free to share it in the comments below.

Have a great week, everybody!

Copyright: oldcynic.com