A lot of talk about why ratings are down and there are probably a dozen legit reasons why that's happening. I think they have a serious marketing problem, though. I don't think the league knows how to market itself properly.

Marketing was the heart of the 80's turnaround, which followed the darkest ratings glut in league history. Yeah Magic & Larry were the stars, but they had to be marketed. People had to be made to care.

National NBA games are full of voices who hate how the league is going right now. Broadcasts are full of complaints. Halftime shows are full of complaints. We sit here and say "well, it's entertaining" but that's worse because people are entertained by the complaints!

How many people are out there on national broadcasts saying certain things make sense vs. the people who decry "analytics" without even knowing what analytics really are?

National games are often the only exposure people get to games

It's all part of marketing. It's not the only reason, but it's a big one. People who hate how many 3's there are right now keep getting that point reinforced but the game keeps going that way & that large segment of the audience isn't being convinced that the evolution is OK

Like, instead of just embracing Porzingis as a unicorn, I keep hearing how he needs to stop shooting 3's and get in the post. He plays with Luka. People tune in for Luka but then get hit over the head with more complaints. it's a big part of the problem