Most watched NBA playoff games since 2002

[Rose'sACL]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CjfYV13UoAEc8f3.png

[leMVP]

The Lebron's Effect.

Amazing that everyone want to see him fail.

[SouBeachTalents]

If 2002 is included, can't believe Games 6 or 7 of the WCF didn't make that list

[Keno]

lebron is must watch tv, no surprise. goat.

[BlakFrankWhite]

Only 1 Kobe game? Lol

[#number6ix#]

This is why nba lets bron do what he wants

[NBAGOAT]

rip the mid 00's. People just weren't that interested in watching the Spurs and Pistons with their defense 1st style. Suns had the style to get ratings but not enough starpower.

[jbryan1984]

I just think the NBA wasn't that popular in that era. It was seriously considered like a "thug league". One cannot argue that the dress code came from the NBA being stereotyped as that.

[livinglegend]

Lebron James.

[nashwade]

Damn 06 finals not up there?

[Im Still Ballin]

What did I tell you fools? Big Three Heat LeBron era was the GOAT

Especially 2010-2012

LeBron was bigger than anyone's ever been since Jordan

You either hated his guts, or you loved him

EVERYONE knew about him

Transcended basketball

Hollywood James

[ballinhun8]

In the Top 10, besides the CLE/ORL and MIA/IND, you had either Chicago or Boston in 8 of those games.

You're talking about the 3rd and 7th largest media markets in the US.


Kind of surprised no LA games were there from 08 on. I would've thought the LA/SAS WCF would've done bigger then these ratings suggest.

[Im Still Ballin]

It's all about LeBron James.

[Sarcastic]

rip the mid 00's. People just weren't that interested in watching the Spurs and Pistons with their defense 1st style. Suns had the style to get ratings but not enough starpower.


That's the thing. People always say they love parity, and want parity, but NO ONE WATCHES PARITY. Remember that NCAA Final Four when all the scrub teams made it? It was the worst Final Four ever. 1970s NBA was parity to the max. It was also the worst era for NBA in terms of popularity.

[Mr Feeny]

In the Top 10, besides the CLE/ORL and MIA/IND, you had either Chicago or Boston in 8 of those games.

You're talking about the 3rd and 7th largest media markets in the US.


Kind of surprised no LA games were there from 08 on. I would've thought the LA/SAS WCF would've done bigger then these ratings suggest.

I guess lebron james is a much bigger attraction than Kobe:lol

They one constant in all the top 10 is.....drumroll......LeKING james:applause:

[NBAGOAT]

That's the thing. People always say they love parity, and want parity, but NO ONE WATCHES PARITY. Remember that NCAA Final Four when all the scrub teams made it? It was the worst Final Four ever. 1970s NBA was parity to the max. It was also the worst era for NBA in terms of popularity.

people love seeing David beat Goliath. They don't love seeing 2 Davids fight it out however. Parity wasn't that great during the mid 00's (it was better than now) but lack of big starpower hurt. I'm guessing the ratings were low in 94 and 95 too even though the parity those years were awesome because there weren't any really dominant teams and there was no MJ.

[hold this L]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CjfYV13UoAEc8f3.png
Today's game is probably going to hit top 5.

[ArbitraryWater]

Nobody caring about the Spurs...

Only one Kobe game... LeBron ruling.

Those 2012 and 2013 ECF's though.

Holy shit.. the entire 2011 Heat/Bulls series is on there.

People loved to hate that Heat team.

[ArbitraryWater]

Damn 06 finals not up there?

I dont know why, but they didnt include finals games.

[ballinhun8]

I guess lebron james is a much bigger attraction than Kobe:lol

They one constant in all the top 10 is.....drumroll......LeKING james:applause:



Cant disagree there.


People love to hate the bad guy.

[aj1987]

No LAL/Bos G7? :biggums:

[Mr Feeny]

Cant disagree there.


People love to hate the bad guy.

You calling the bran a bad guy?:coleman:

[ArbitraryWater]

No LAL/Bos G7? :biggums:

no finals

[Mr Feeny]

no finalsIf finals were included, games 6 and 7 of 2013 would probably top the list. Either those or some last year's finals when ratings were off the charts.

[You Cant Ban Me]

People really don't **** with Kobe like that I see.Even his game 7 vs Phoenix wasn't up there.I think the reason that game 4 was so big was because LeBron's draft class rival was in the game.They were hoping the Nuggets would win that game so he could get a ring before LeBron

[Mr Feeny]

People really don't **** with kobe like that I see.Even his game 7 vs phoenix wasn't up there

Most fans don't consider him relevant tbf. He's not that important and unfortunately for his fanboys, nobody cared about watching him besides them.

[Straight_Ballin]

Most fans don't consider him relevant tbf. He's not that important and unfortunately for his fanboys, nobody cared about watching him besides them.

Entertainment comes in many forms, and the excitement is increased when trends form.

Whether it's watching MJ play in his 6th finals and continue the trend of dominance or it's watching Lebron play in his 7th finals and continue the trend of repeating 2 losses only to 3-peat in losses for a total of 2/7, it's entertainment all the same.

What the NBA fan should be concerned about is the 180 that this sport has taken. Instead of watching it to see guys follow the trend of winning (MJ 3-peat repeat or Kobe 3 peat lakers or Duncan winning in 3 different decades) the casual fan tunes into the finals watch the trend of Lebron losing.

[feyki]

And 2007 finals was worst since millenium .

[Mr Feeny]

Entertainment comes in many forms, and the excitement is increased when trends form.

Whether it's watching MJ play in his 6th finals and continue the trend of dominance or it's watching Lebron play in his 7th finals and continue the trend of repeating 2 losses only to 3-peat in losses for a total of 2/7, it's entertainment all the same.

What the NBA fan should be concerned about is the 180 that this sport has taken. Instead of watching it to see guys follow the trend of winning (MJ 3-peat repeat or Kobe 3 peat lakers or Duncan winning in 3 different decades) the casual fan tunes into the finals watch the trend of Lebron losing.

In other words you agree that Lebron is much more relevant than Kobrick :lebronamazed:
Nice to see:applause:

[Draz]

It ever cross your mind the variables?
More population in people?
More popularity in the sport?
More access to television and affordable access to the channel?

[SamuraiSWISH]

Really surprised only one Kobe Laker game in there. Such a huge market. No 2008 Lakers vs Celtics or even the 7 game series rematch from 2010? Very, very surprising. Seems like this list is dominated by LeBron, Miami Heat, and now Steph and the Warriors.

[ballinhun8]

Really surprised only one Kobe Laker game in there. Such a huge market. No 2008 Lakers vs Celtics or even the 7 game series rematch from 2010? Very, very surprising. Seems like this list is dominated by LeBron, Miami Heat, and now Steph and the Warriors.



The list doesn't include the Finals. If it did I'm sure Game 1 2008 and Game 7 2010 would probably be at the top of the lists just or nostalgic reasons alone.

[feyki]

http://www.statista.com/graphic/1/240381/nba-finals-tv-ratings-in-the-united-states.jpg

Lebron's first finals appearance worst of history .

[nba_55]

I really though Kobe would be watched more. Lebron is the NBA.

[Mr Feeny]

I really though Kobe would be watched more. Lebron is the NBA.

And lebron is the only constant in ALL of the top 10:banana:

[ArbitraryWater]

LeBron saved some of '07 man.. you know if that was without him, or the Pistons or something, that would have been like 4 mil :oldlol:

[ArbitraryWater]

http://www.statista.com/graphic/1/240381/nba-finals-tv-ratings-in-the-united-states.jpg

Lebron's first finals appearance worst of history .

Yeah, but who is the common denominator in low ratings? The Spurs... where as Bron has gotten historically high ratings year in year out, so '07 is completely, evidently on San Antonio.

[jlip]

Really surprised only one Kobe Laker game in there. Such a huge market. No 2008 Lakers vs Celtics or even the 7 game series rematch from 2010? Very, very surprising. Seems like this list is dominated by LeBron, Miami Heat, and now Steph and the Warriors.

Yep. I remember being on another message board back then and telling everyone at that time how strange it was that the question of where Lebron was going was a bigger story than a NBA Finals game 7 between the two most storied franchises in league history. In the post game press conference after the Celtics eliminated the Cavs that year, it appeared that the media was asking KG more questions about Lebron's future than they were about the Celtics moving on to the next series. That's when KG gave his famous "Loyalty is something that can hurt..." line. It almost appeared that ESPN wanted to get the Finals out of the way so that they could focus on Lebron's decision.

[j3lademaster]

Very surprised the top ones are from the social network era where illegal streaming is extremely prevalent.

[MP.Trey]

Damn that whole Miami team, love it or hate it, was so captivating to the league. We'll never see such dominant powers coming together and splitting apart so quickly. It was Boston's Big 3 on a whole 'nother level, and all in their primes too.

[Wally450]

Damn, the Celtics Heat series in 2012 was must watch after Game 3.

[tmacattack33]

Very surprised the top ones are from the social network era where illegal streaming is extremely prevalent.

The Finals are usually on ABC though...which is just broadcast TV that any one with a $15 digital antenna can pick up.

The streams are getting better, but they still aren't close to the quality of just turning the TV on and putting it on ABC.

[ArbitraryWater]

2011 and 2012 ECF are absolutely EATING this list up

Of the combined 12 games, 9 are in the top 15. 9 are in the top 13.

[Gileraracer]

This is why NBA is so rigged. Lebron would have 2 finals appearances without riggs

[Hoopz2332]

I thought Kobe grabbed better ratings?:oldlol: :rolleyes:

[TheMarkMadsen]

LeBron saved some of '07 man.. you know if that was without him, or the Pistons or something, that would have been like 4 mil :oldlol:


Hey you could just look at the 05 finals ratings and compare them to 07 if you want to see what a Pistons vs Spurs finals would have done..

Or you could make the post you made and come off as a liar and an idiot..

[moongaze]

I thought Kobe grabbed better ratings?:oldlol: :rolleyes:

:oldlol: