In the sudden new era of basketball, the NBA as a league finds itself with a huge problem. They have no more fans. They seemed to have all left when Michael Jordan left. With the NBA finding itself with no fans compared to the NFL, the league also finds itself with another problem. Nothing is there for the league to use to help appeal to those not interested in the league as a whole. What, do you actually expect the NBA to get high school players, or foreign players whose names are impossible to pronounce to help draw fans in? Those the NBA is appealing to are those who are in the sixth-grade hoping someday to skip college, and go straight to the league because they think they have got the `ankle-breaking’ moves, or the `hops’ to get there.With the current 2005 NBA Finals being played out, it sure does not help the league when there are two defensively sound teams playing in the league’s final playoff series. No doubt, this year’s Finals with the Detroit Pistons and the San Antonio Spurs is a series for the purist of basketball fans. And more than likely there are not too many of those that could be found right now. Remember, these aren’t your father’s NBA teams anymore.
The NBA has revealed its desperation in this year’s Finals from the great lengths it has gone to, to try and help bring entertainment to the series from outside the game of basketball. From watching the first two pregame shows in San Antonio, it looked as though the NBA Finals were being played in Los Angeles, considering the fact that neither of the two teams from Los Angeles made the playoffs this year. The reason is because of the numerous musical performers shown in pregame. Performers among the likes of Alanis Morissette, Dave Mathews Band, Stevie Wonders, and Will Smith does leave the indication that the league knows that it is not appealing to many fans across the world, and that it is doing anything for the attention of watchful eyes.
And by the way, that Will Smith performance was about as lame as they come when it comes to musical performances. By listening to the crowd in the arena, not many people in San Antonio were too enthusiastic about seeing `Hitch’ at the NBA Finals.
Thus with the dozens of musical performances that occur at NBA events, the league right now finds itself in a dilemma. How do you think all of this entertainment being brought in by the league appeals to those who actually happen to be a diehard basketball fans? Those who fall into this category pay attention to these games for one reason, and that it is to watch basketball.
They don’t want to see any of these hunky-dory performances. Hell, none of them are good anyway.
At this past year’s NBA All-Star game in Denver, the NBA reached to new lows when the league had decided to `switch it up’ a little. Out of all of the audiences to try and appeal to, the NBA had chosen to try and appeal to the country audience. Yes, the NBA had a halftime show, in a game with the most famous NBA players, which consisted of country music, and stupid hoedowns.
And all of this took place in none other than Denver, Colorado. Nothing says country music more than the snowy mountains of Denver.
While the NBA tries to lure as many fans as it can in, they find themselves at the same time luring fans away, well at least American fans.
David Stern is still trying to set a minimum age limit for players entering the league. With this, it sure doesn’t appeal to young fans, and players of the game of basketball, to those mainly in or coming out of high school. Think of all the high school players who had intentions on entering the NBA, whether they are good or not.
Also, the commissioner has stated his interest in trying to have a future All-Star game in a foreign city. In all likelihood, it would be held in Paris.
How would this help lure fans in, especially when the league is trying to attract Americans to the NBA. Moving a game that involves the league’s best players to the other side of the world would only hurt its attempt in attracting Americans. But it sure would help in trying to attract foreigners.
Yet, there is now one incident on the brink of occurring that would no doubted kill the fan population of the NBA, the LOCKOUT. The current NBA collective bargaining agreement expires on June 30, and with the recent events with the NHL lockout, the NBA needs to come to an agreement fast.
Owners within the NBA are currently unhappy about some of the rules within the agreement, and are now doing all they can to change those rules. Thus, this is what is bringing about all of the commotion.
And it isn’t like the NBA doesn’t realize the ramifications of what a lockout would bring. Billy Hunter, the leader of the players’ union, said if the lockout were to occur, then it would be a `Death Knell’ for the NBA.
Who knows, maybe with the return of Phil Jackson to the Los Angeles Lakers, the attention of people across the world will be turned to the NBA.
He and Kobe Bryant are sure to cause some drama.
2 replies on “NBA in Dire Need of Some Fans”
Confusing Why do you dwell on half-time performances during games? This is certainly not the reason why fans are not watching games. If you have a problem with the shitty performances, change the channel! No one is forcing you to watch something you don’t want to see. I don’t think you have the right idea. The reason people aren’t watching basketball anymore is because of the perception of the NBA as a greedy, gangster league where the superstars care more about themselves than the game. People watch the NFL, and although there are jerks like Randy Moss and TO, they see a team striving to achieve a goal. In the NBA, it involves more one on one, so this makes people see it as selfish. I personally like the NBA more than the NFL and I’m pretty sure that bad half-time performances aren’t the reason that people are fed up with the NBA. Also, the Ron Artest incident didn’t help ticket sales.
hmm I agree with you on the part about the growing number of un-pronouncable names, that could definitely hurt interest, look at hockey for example. I don’t know why you are so against musical performances, it is the Finals, if any stage should have them, this is it. Remember back when Mariah Carey did the Jordan tribute at the All-Star game a few years back? That was one of the better sports-minded musical performances I have ever seen, and had great reviews and what not. Also, the NBA’s future is not at stake. Lebron, Wade, Dirk, these guys are the future, and its pretty damn bright in my opinion.