No dog in this fiight but I'm happy that I was able to witness the greatness the NBA On NBC
Bob Costas throws shade on ESPN for putting few NBA games on ABC while saying MJ > LeBron
- Thread starter FAH1223
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That's assuming that the NBA would be able to replicate even close to the popularity of the NFL, which just isn't the case. Mainly because of the number of games that the NBA has, which dilutes the product and makes it less attractive to the masses especially when you factor in load management and how networks themselves don't even know what will be starting lineup before the games start.
The NBA and its own players don't even take the product serious, so how can you expect fans to do the same as well.
How could it build a semblance of that kinda popularity when it shuts out people that lack access to cable and Internet? The point is that the NFL stuck with making its product as widely available as possible and the NBA didn’t do that which had pigeon holed them.
In terms of number of games, that can be debated but I definitely feel like one of the biggest issues is the over reliance on individual stats over teams. It’s hard to care when individual players retire. It boggles my mind how the NBA hasn’t grasped this yet. A lot of fans dropped basketball the moment Jordan retired, some did when Kobe retired, good chance it might happen again when Bron retires.
Given that marketing is so much easier with social media and increased endorsement opportunities the NBA doesn’t really need to overcompensate with a star driven approach. The teams, their styles (which is another issue due to rule changes and a homogenous style) and the personalities on them should be how they market.
Imo, the NBA should’ve at the very least been carving out a strong niche as America’s second most popular sport while continuing to increase global reach.
The production levels would be different and maybe betterIs that supposed to change something? NBA ratings have been in decline for years now and it would more than likely still be the same case on NBC. It's not going to be as big of a deal that it use to be.
Dude's love complaining about the NBA product and how trash it is with load management and such, but think that putting it on network television is going to solve the problem. It'd just more people that will be complaining about the same things that we're complaining about now
I bet NBC would have an actual halftime show for its games like TNT does
And with football, we see how much better SNF is production wise compared to MNF
mastermind
Rest In Power Kobe
The problem with Disney’s coverage is they don't care about the nba and only got it to keep it away from Fox, NBC and Viacom.
Games don't need to be on ABC, but the company doesn't try and produce a serious product. If Turner had the entire package, I feel there would be more care for the game.
Games don't need to be on ABC, but the company doesn't try and produce a serious product. If Turner had the entire package, I feel there would be more care for the game.
Bleedin Gums Murphy
All Star
He’s absolutely right. And more than that, what really made the NBA on NBC so good was their ability to find a narrative before the game; a story that made the games (and the players) feel epic. It’s the classic “show, don’t tell” technique.
How come ESPN/ABC can’t do an pregame intros like this:
How come ESPN/ABC can’t do an pregame intros like this:
Propaganda
Superstar
while i agree with what you're saying, that 'i believe i can fly' montage was corny as fukk. goddamn.
i probably thought it was dope back then, though.
Peter Gabriel before Lakers-Pistonswhile i agree with what you're saying, that 'i believe i can fly' montage was corny as fukk. goddamn.
i probably thought it was dope back then, though.
What a time.
It is sad that Disney with all of its resources can’t tell stories before games
CBS was also very good with that.
mastermind
Rest In Power Kobe
They only have the NBA to fill air time and keep it from the other networks. They put no effort in producing a good product. I would love for Turner or the big three networks to take it over.Peter Gabriel before Lakers-Pistons
What a time.
It is sad that Disney with all of its resources can’t tell stories before games
CBS was also very good with that.
Tony D'Amato
It's all about the inches
MJ was the schedule.
Piff Perkins
Veteran
Every week, the NFL has multiple games on network television that dominate sports conversations for days. Whether it’s the “America’s Game” on a Saturday afternoon on Fox or Sunday Night Football on NBC, something entertaining is happening for all - casuals and avid fans - to see.
NBC and ABC basketball used to mean something. Narratives were built. Watching a Lakers v Spurs matchup in the middle of the season felt important, like you were seeing a preview of the western conference finals. Then there were the Mavs or Minnesota games where you’d wonder if this is the year they put it together. These were big rivalries we all looked forward to.
Now? Nobody cares. And when there’s a good matchup there is no follow up. Hard to build narratives without consistency. NBA gotta figure this out…
NBC and ABC basketball used to mean something. Narratives were built. Watching a Lakers v Spurs matchup in the middle of the season felt important, like you were seeing a preview of the western conference finals. Then there were the Mavs or Minnesota games where you’d wonder if this is the year they put it together. These were big rivalries we all looked forward to.
Now? Nobody cares. And when there’s a good matchup there is no follow up. Hard to build narratives without consistency. NBA gotta figure this out…
I will add that don’t be surprised if a big part of the next TV deal is exclusive games on streaming service like NHL and MLB have signed. It might be the way NBC gets back with Peacock or CBS with Paramount Plus. Though I think Apple and Amazon would be the favorites on that end. I wish NBA had a bigger presence on OTA like back in the NBC days, but that’s not coming back.
They’re never leaving Disney.
Disney will pay whatever it takes to keep the NBA away from the other networks like @mastermind said.
Only way FOX or CBS or NBC get back in us through streaming or the league just bringing in a 3rd partner. Which may be possible especially if they want to get to their revenue goal for the next TV Deal.
