Changes, by Tim Shea

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Wow! How things have changed!. There was a time when, at this specific moment in the basketball season, my mind was solely focused on the various Pro league Finals happening around the globe. The ACB in Spain, the Euro League, and of course, the NBA. Not anymore. But…there is a but

Indeed, as historians would confirm, the game has, to many, been, and I don’t use this word lightly, plagiarized. Honestly, I miss the basketball of yesteryears where the TV was the anticipated, in living color, gateway to live, great contests. I reflect on those epic “Finals” featuring the Boston Celtics versus the Los Angeles Lakers or the Detroit Pistons against the Chicago Bulls, and even the CF Real Madrid clashing with FC Barcelona in their country Finals.

Remembering those legendary figures like Magic Johnson, MJ, Shaquille O’Neal, Larry Bird, Isiah Thomas, Tim Duncan, Scottie Pippen, Charles Barkley, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, along with Fernando Martin and Audie Norris, not to forget the greats before them like Wilt Chamberlain, Oscar Robertson, Jerry West, and Walt Frazier and Earl ;The Pearl” Monroe, all evoke a sense of nostalgia and memories of skills and expertise that, judging by current trends, may never be seen again. Indeed, that era of basketball, filled with those exceptionally skilled positional players—true Pivots, versatile Forwards, specialized Shooting Guards, and authentic Point Guards—now feels like a distant memory.

Today’s game is largely dismissed by the older generation, who have turned their backs on it and refuse to invest their time watching it, viewing it as an aberration. The current style has ushered in a different, more “wide open” form of basketball where even the classic two-point shot is looked down upon. It has, unfortunately, become a reality that the “stat-men” nearly ban its use! Believe me when I say they sadly have become the true monarchs and rulers of the game.

Let’s delve into the specifics of how these changes have impacted audience participation since the year 2000.

In the year 2000, the NBA Finals achieved a household TV rating of 11.6, which corresponds to a 21 % share of all U.S. TV-owning households.

By 2025, ratings have fallen significantly.

Game 1 logged a 4.7 rating,

*(Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals averaged a 4.7 rating and 8.91 million viewers on ABC, making it the least-watched Game 1 of the Nielsen meter era (since 1988) outside of the league’s COVID-19-fueled ratings nadir in 2020 and 2021, according to Sports Media Watch).

Game 2 a 4.5 rating, and

Game 3 a 4.8 rating, all reflecting some of the lowest ratings in Finals history!!

This represents an Overall drop of U.S. household TV viewership for the NBA Finals has decreased by roughly 60 % since 2000!!

60% !!!!

Which leads to the question of:

Why has the % of audiences for the NBA Finals decreased so dramatically?

I think it can be traced to several key factors:

(But maybe it’s not as bad as it seems).

Changes in media consumption

Cord-cutting: Millions of households have canceled traditional cable or satellite TV in favor of streaming services.

Fragmentation of attention: Fans now consume highlights, clips, and commentary via YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and X (Twitter) rather than watching full games live.

Streaming migration: Many viewers watch via legal streams or international platforms that don’t contribute to traditional U.S. TV ratings.

The Shift in entertainment preferences

Rise of other entertainment forms: Gaming (e.g., Fortnite, Call of Duty, Roblox) and on-demand content (Netflix, Disney+, etc.) compete for attention.

Younger viewers disengaging: Younger demographics tend to favor short-form, interactive, or on-demand content over sitting through long live sports broadcasts.

Older fans have completely abandoned the modern game

The Globalization of the audience

The NBA’s popularity is increasingly global. While international viewership (e.g., China, Europe) may have grown, U.S. TV ratings don’t capture those audiences.

Matchup dynamics and star power

The 2000 Finals featured big-market teams and global stars (e.g., Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant on the Lakers).

Some recent Finals haven’t had the same mass-appeal combinations of iconic franchises or charismatic superstars that drive casual viewership.

The Changing measurement methods

Traditional Nielsen ratings don’t fully account for:

Streaming audiences

Mobile or out-of-home viewing (bars, offices, etc.)

Social media engagement

We must look at, “What has changed in the NBA game since 2000” as the

NBA game has acquired a dramatically different dynamic.

I offer a detailed breakdown of what’s changed:

Style of play

Three-point revolution

In 2000: Teams averaged ~13 three-point attempts per game.

In 2025: Teams often attempt 35–45 threes per game!

The game shifted from post play & midrange jumpers to spacing the floor and prioritizing efficient shots (3’s & layups).

Pace and spacing

The modern NBA features faster tempo, more possessions, and spread-out offenses.

Big men now shoot 3s (e.g., Jokic, Wembanyama, Porzingis), whereas in 2000 most centers operated near the basket.

Decline of isolation post play

In 2000, stars like Shaq or Duncan dominated in the paint.

Today’s offenses rely more on ball movement, pick-and-rolls, and dribble-drive action.

Analytics and strategy

Data analytics influence almost every coaching decision—from shot selection to substitution patterns.

Emphasis on “expected points per shot”: teams avoid long 2s, favor corner 3s, paint shots, and Free Throws.

Player roles and versatility

Positionless basketball: Traditional labels like PG, SG, SF, PF, C are less rigid. Players switch defensively and fill multiple roles offensively.

Bigs who dribble & pass: Big men like Giannis, Jokic, and Wembanyama are playmakers, not just finishers.

Defense

No more hand-checking: Defensive rules changed (especially post-2004) to limit perimeter physicality and promote scoring.

Switch-heavy defenses: Teams switch pick-and-rolls more than ever to counteract spacing and shooting.

Technology & development

Wearable tech, load management, nutrition science, and year-round training have changed how players prepare.

Load management (resting players) is common now—rare in 2000.

Globalization of talent

The league features far more international stars: Jokic, Doncic, Giannis, Wembanyama, SGA, etc.

In 2000, international stars were fewer (Dirk, Yao emerging).

Entertainment & culture

The NBA today blends sport with social media, fashion, music, and social justice activism in ways that weren’t as prominent in 2000.

It is important to highlight that in recent years, the NBA has shown a diminished focus on the National (USA) market, instead directing its attention towards the international market. This shift somewhat explains the decline in the American TV ratings, as these ratings do not account for the worldwide audience. For instance, it is known that there are millions watching in China. The metrics from the past, much like the basketball of earlier times, are no longer relevant. It is as straightforward as that.

Like Bob Dylan wrote, “Things Have Changed”

An excerpt: “People are crazy and times are strange, I’m locked in tight, I’m out of range, I used to care, but things have changed…”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9EKqQWPjyo