Former Lakers star Shaquille O’Neal, known for his controversial opinions, recently shared his thoughts on the decline in NBA viewership. O’Neal used his basketball analysis skills to offer a unique theory, which quickly went viral.
NBA viewership has dropped a lot this season, with ESPN saying it went down 42% on opening night. This is surprising because many big things have happened like Klay Thompson leaving the Splash Brothers, Karl-Anthony Towns’ unexpected trade, and LeBron and Bronny James playing together and making history.
Former NBA player Shaquille O’Neal discussed his thoughts on the decline in viewership on the ‘BIG’ podcast. Shaq said the league’s new style of play, which focuses mostly on three-point shots, is the reason for the drop.
He said, “It’s down because we’re looking at the same thing. Everybody’s running the same plays. At the damn top of the key dribble handoff. I was talking to a coach yesterday and he said ‘They want to shoot 50 threes.’ Because they were trying to contemplate if I could play in this era.”
He continued, “I was like ‘Well that’s not gonna help you win but I think everybody’s looking at the same thing and Steph Curry and those guys messed it up. I don’t mind Golden State back in the day shooting threes but every team got a three-point shooter, so why everybody has the same strategy? I think viewership will continue to go down unless we switch things up.”
NBA fans react to Shaquille O’Neal’s theory
On Twitter, @TheDunkCentral posted a clip from the podcast where Shaquille O’Neal talked about his theory. The video got 1.7 million views, so there were lots of comments from fans. Some fans agreed with Shaq’s idea, but most expressed a different take.
@statdefender wrote, “NBA viewership is down coz they are so many websites ppl can watch it for free.”
NBA viewership is down coz they are so many websites ppl can watch it for free
— Stat Defender (@statdefender) November 7, 2024
@Johnhightest said, “Basketball is more entertaining when defense is allowed to be played.”
Basketball is more entertaining when defense is allowed to be played
— John🇺🇸 (@Johnhightest) November 7, 2024
@itz_zinzy added, “SYall may not want hear it but he’s not wrong. Essentially may not be the only reason but it’s 100% one of them.”
Yall may not want hear it but he’s not wrong
— zinzy🐻♰ (@itz_zinzy) November 7, 2024
Essentially may not be the only reason but it’s 100% one of them
@AidanLaPorta69 said, “It’s down because Adam Silver wants to make bags off of everyone and make it more expensive than it needs to be to watch games. So TONS of ppl used their brains and stream the games for free.”
It’s down because Adam Silver wants to make bags off of everyone and make it more expensive than it needs to be to watch games. So TONS of ppl used their brains and stream the games for free.
— Aidan LaPorta (@AidanLaPorta69) November 7, 2024
More comments follow below.
Or maybe it’s cause of all the free sites to watch basketball on, also Shaq coming to this conclusion while being a fan of Steph is crazy
— Warriors Comeback Season (@BiasedPG13fan) November 7, 2024
He’s right
— Rashad Phillips (@RP3natural) November 7, 2024
Why does Shaq think dunks are the solution to every league
— Ramon 🇵🇷⚡️ (@RamonIsHim) November 7, 2024
