Bad NBA Teams are hurting the league. However, ratings dip, and people love to blame the three-point shot. “Too many threes,” they say, as if modern basketball has somehow lost its excitement. But the truth is, the problem isn’t the style of play — it’s the lack of competitive teams.
Too many franchises are either tanking for better draft odds or refusing to spend to attract top talent. The result? A league filled with uneven matchups, lopsided scores, and fans who tune out halfway through the season.
Injuries and Unwatchable Basketball
Injuries to star players also play a huge role in the NBA’s declining ratings. Last season, Joel Embiid and Paul George both missed significant time with the Sixers — a team many expected to contend for a championship. Instead, they won just 24 games and were out of playoff contention before the All-Star break.
When top players sit, fans lose interest. Star power drives viewership. Nobody’s rushing home to watch a team missing its best player and getting blown out by 25 every night.
The League Needs More Competitive Teams
Take the Brooklyn Nets, for example — a team with no real star power left. If you’re not a Nets fan, what reason do you have to watch them? The NBA is better when more teams are competitive. It’s like watching AAU basketball — would you rather see a game come down to a buzzer-beater, or one team getting blown out by 30?
Fans crave drama, close finishes, and teams that actually care about winning. When that’s missing, ratings will always follow the same path — down.
Hold Teams Accountable
It’s time the league holds franchises accountable for years of mediocrity. If teams can’t get their act together after several seasons of losing, they should be forced to sell.
Look at the Washington Wizards — they made the playoffs in 2021 with just 34 wins. How far do we really expect a 34-win team to go? The system rewards losing, and until that changes, the product on the court will continue to suffer.
The Bottom Line
The NBA doesn’t have a shooting problem — it has a competitiveness problem. Fans want rivalries, stars, and meaningful games, not tanking, injuries, and empty arenas. The league will regain its excitement only when every team fights to win, not to lose on purpose.