What does the NBA need to do to get the ratings back up?

Question

The NBA finals this year has the lowest rating, possibly in history. In retrospect, the last World series had the lowest rating in history for baseball with like a 10.1 average and this years NBA finals for the first two games averaged 6.4. And when the in game conversation is mostly about Tony Parker and Eva Longoria, then you know something about the game sucks.

So.....what do you do to get the NBA ratings back up. (And all you Suns fans, just a warning, if you say put the Suns in the finals, I will give you an automatic thumbs down.)

Answer 1

More Kobe Bryants.

Answer 2

Let me say something first...all of you who do not appreciate the way the Spurs play do not appreciate the game of basketball...plain and simple...plus Tony Parker is leading MVP for the finals (of course Tim Duncan is always there)

As for the ratings, I am pretty sure the Stanley Cup Finals also had some low rankings. I would guess it is all the commercials and the fact that most games are late at night due to different time zones so if the game is in the west most in the east won't stay up until 10 to watch the start of the game.

Answer 3

I think the NBA is loosing ratings because it is turning into a one man show. Players additudes these days are worse than ever. Look at Jordan just a few years back. He was one of the best to ever play the game but he was still a team player, he actually was proud to get an assist, sure he scored a lot of points himself and put on a show, but he wasn't offended when the coach called a play to give someone else a shot, he made his teamates better not worse.

Too many of today's superstars are looking for personal glory, as a result their teamates just stand around and watch them play and although the one superstar does slightly better the team as a whole does worse because the other 4 guys are just standing around.

I think the NBA should allow zone defense with no restrictions. this way the superstars cannot be as effective by just clearing out for a 1 on 1 and driving to the hole. They will be forced to pass as it is the best and only effective way to beat a good zone defense. More passing will result in better team work, more players involved in each play and a more exciting game. along these lines I think the shot clock should be increased (although not eliminated) to at least 30 seconds if not 40, good plays with lots of passing designed to beat a zone require more time to develop.

I think the game might also benifit from making the court wider. at the NBA level, the guys are so big with such long arms that it is easy to cover the court width-wise on defense, I think by widening the ocurt about 5-10 feet it will alow for the offenses to spread the floor better and force the defense to cover more ground, this would make speed more of a factor.

I think the bottom line though is that americans are loosing interest in sports in general. many people are turnig to reality TV for the same suspense and competition where they can have a favorite competitor other than just the home-town team.

Answer 4

A. Un-retire David Robinson and let him replace Oberto for the next game. (I got this feeling that even if David Robinson takes Oberto’s place, Cavs will still find Spurs a handful.)

B. Spurs should re-sign Avery Johnson, let him coach Games 4 and 5 so he can impart his coaching choke job he did in Dallas to the Spurs.

c. Do the Eva Longoria - Tony Parker Nuptial during the halftime of Game 4 and let part-time Cavs owner Usher do the singing.

D. Let the Cavs sign Derek Fisher for a ten-day contract, insert him in the game during closing seocnds just to rattle the Spurs.

E. Just decide the outcome of Game 4 using a game called FLOP-OFF. Participating players are Manu Ginobili for the Spurs and Varejao for the Cavs. Three NBA refs plus three Academy Awards judges are to decide the flop-off winner.

F. Trade coaches. Let PJ Carlesimo handle Sours and Mike Brown be an assistant again.

Answer 5

Be more competative and let players actually show emotion. People would watch basketball if players could tap the backboard after dunks, talk trash, actually have disscussions with officials, and do the Jordan-isc things that are no longer allowed.

Also, with the importing of all this European players, that game has suffered. The top college players are no longer even drafted high because of potentially good Euros. Must I throw out names like Darko, Tskisivilli, and other bums that were drafted in the lottery over proven solid players like Caron Butler, Juan Dixon, etc. And even players in college that are potentially good are taken over good players with room for improvement. Think about were ATL would be in TV ratings if they had Deron Williams or Chris Paul over Marvin Williams.

Answer 6

What the NBA can do to get there ratings back up is nothing because for example: You see the Spurs they play straight out great BASKETBALL not that fancy **** that LeBron tries to pull off. The reason the NBA has low ratings is because nobody knows what BASKETBALL is anymore they just ink it's a LeBron v.s Kobe or something like that

Answer 7

The NBA is its own worst enemy....It (and advertising) have done nothing but show us the chest thumping mouthing players and expect us to put them up on pedestals. Well let's see.....Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, LeBron James, Manu Ginoboli, Bruce Bowen, Robert Horry.....with the exception of LBJ they are not high market advertisers...they are work horses who are well disciplined and are excellent role models for young athletes. Yea, once in awhile tempers do get the best of them...but guess what they are human...not gods and they do not expect to be treated like gods, unlike many other "superstars" of any sport.

Answer 8

Lakers vs Knicks will surely boost the rating as they are big market city.

Or maybe Shaq vs Kobe at the Finals will be interesting too.

Answer 9

Change the Mavs-Warriors series to a best of 17.

Answer 10

they need to have a game 5,6 or 7 to boost the ratings
but it will end in game 5