The NBA has a lack of stars problem AND all teams playing the same way problem

[Wardell Curry]

I don’t want to get into arguments about definitions. When I say star I mean can you ask a non basketball fan “who do you know that plays in the NBA?” and they’ll give you someone’s name.

Most people would say LeBron, fewer would say Steph and after that is there anyone?

At this point I’m a casual fan as are most of you and I just can’t find myself caring about the outcome of the playoffs once LeBron and Steph went out.

Further, every team in the NBA plays the exact same brand of basketball now. They aren’t all equally as good at it obviously but they all just spam 3s and you have one or two guys that attack the basket and score or kick. Its boring.

Do I have legit observations or am I just now an old bastard? Maybe both?

[Full Court]

I asked 8 random people on the street if they could name 1 NBA player. 8 of them said Rudy Gobert, and 2 of them said Jayson Tatum.


Seriously though, we all know the NBA doesn't have any superstars in the wings right now. One will come though.

[Phoenix]

The biggest 'mainstream' stars are on their last legs, that being Lebron and Steph. It may depend on the age of who you ask too. You may get more under 20s naming Giannis or ANT, but I suspect Lebron and Steph will definitely be the names most people mention and that's not good for the league as far as mainstream/casual interest going forward. By this point, someone should have definitely stepped into that role by now but there's no clear-cut guy even if there is clear separation at the top of the league from the next set of guys, they're just passing the baton around.I will say though, if you go back to Russell and Wilt, Magic and Bird......Lebron and Kobe then Bron and Steph, there was always a 'duo' that captured the national spotlight. In the 90s it was basically MJ and everyone else, he didn't have that singular guy running alongside with him. I have no idea who those 'two guys' are gonna be for the next decade as of now.

[tpols]

Yea the excitement value from superstars is at an all time low. There were guys back then that had freaky talent that as a fan would make you almost shake your head. Like when you watch Shaq play. Or Kobe Tmac Vince Carter Lebron Wade attacking the rim. Even boring types like Tim Duncan had more charisma than today's stars.

SGA is midrange Tatum. Tatum is Tatum. Jokic is boring (as media personality). Luka is fat and spoiled. Giannis is... I guess the most exicting because of some the things he can do but his skill lacks. Its just a boring ass crop of MVP level players.

[Hey Yo]

I asked 8 random people on the street if they could name 1 NBA player. 8 of them said Rudy Gobert, and 2 of them said Jayson Tatum

8+2=8

[Baller234]

Yea the excitement value from superstars is at an all time low. There were guys back then that had freaky talent that as a fan would make you almost shake your head. Like when you watch Shaq play. Or Kobe Tmac Vince Carter Lebron Wade attacking the rim. Even boring types like Tim Duncan had more charisma than today's stars.

SGA is midrange Tatum. Tatum is Tatum. Jokic is boring (as media personality). Luka is fat and spoiled. Giannis is... I guess the most exicting because of some the things he can do but his skill lacks. Its just a boring ass crop of MVP level players.

Personality is definitely part of it.

A lot of these gen-Z players come off like socially awkward introverts. Then you have the other half who's ignorant as fukk and were raised on social media and ratchet hip-hop and can't put two sentences together.

Every member of the 92 dream team could give you an authentic, coherent interview without it feeling like they were playing a character. They just came off as real guys who were likable and humble.

And they actually gave a fukk about the all-star game.

[Wally450]

8+2=8

[3ba11]

It's because the best American player is Ant, while it used to be MJ, Shaq, Robinson, Barkley, etc - dozens of Americans better than Ant.

And the international players are boring - the NBA needs its Conor McGregor

[ArbitraryWater]

Agreed but what was the problem with the Shogun account?!

[Full Court]

8+2=8

Two of them named two players. This isn't rocket science.

[Axe]

8+2=8

[FKAri]

Two of them named two players. This isn't rocket science.

But you only asked them to name "a" player? But if you did ask them to name multiple, you're telling me 8 out of 10 people could only name a single NBA player and it's Rudy Gobert? A guy who isn't the face of his team, has 0 ads, no shoes, no media presence, is an international player who isn't even the biggest name from his country currently or all-time? Bizarre.

[SouBeachTalents]

But you only asked them to name "a" player? But if you did ask them to name multiple, you're telling me 8 out of 10 people could only name a single NBA player and it's Rudy Gobert? A guy who isn't the face of his team, has 0 ads, no shoes, no media presence, is an international player who isn't even the biggest name from his country currently or all-time? Bizarre.

Unless it's the people Xiao keeps imprisoned in his basement, I'd find that hard to believe.

[90sgoat]

As a european there's still a lot to root for, but for americans it must feel boring.

[ArbitraryWater]

8+2=8

Full Court just does it to himself man.


1987 gotta see this