The biggest problem with the NBA isn’t the players, the schedule, or even load management—it’s traditional sports media. Here’s how and why.
Sports media have dictated how the average American fan views the game for decades. In the Michael Jordan era, they treated the league like the “Super Friends,” hyping every game like a must-see TV. They didn’t tear players down; if anything, they overhyped them. That’s why the regular season mattered as much as the championship, and even the All-Star Game had weight.
Then, the media got lazy. Realizing their influence, they shifted from celebrating the sport to nitpicking it. Instead of covering all 30 teams, they narrowed their focus to a handful of franchises, deciding for fans what was worth their attention. They pushed the narrative that the regular season was meaningless while expecting casual viewers to care once the playoffs arrived suddenly. They trashed the All-Star Game for being low-effort but failed to recognize their own, making it irrelevant.
The reality? The media’s disinterest in the regular season and their obsession with hot takes hurt fan engagement. If they don’t care for 82 games, why should anyone else?
The hypocrisy of traditional sports media is impossible to ignore. When players pull off flashy, entertaining moves in a regular-season game, they complain about showboating. But suddenly, when that same excitement is missing from the All-Star Game, it’s a problem.
They’re also voting in players who aren’t known for being entertaining in the first place, then acting shocked when the game lacks excitement. Case in point: Nikola Jokić. The man has openly admitted he doesn’t care about the All-Star Game, yet the media keeps putting him there, expecting him to put on a show.
Courtesy, ClutchPoints
Then there’s LeBron. The same media and fans who have spent years claiming they’re tired of watching him play were the first to complain when he sat out. How do you expect to be entertained by someone you claim you’re tired of? The inconsistency is strictly precise. The All-Star Game—and how it is covered in general—has lost its edge.
Traditional media members should have their voting privileges revoked when it comes to basketball awards, accolades, and All-Star selections. They’ve proven time and time again that their decisions are driven by narratives, personal biases, and laziness rather than actual on-court performance or entertainment value.
They’ll push agendas all season, then act surprised when their All-Star picks don’t translate to an exciting game. They’ll complain about certain players getting awards but were the ones who voted for them in the first place. It’s a broken system.
Let the players, coaches, and even fans take complete control. At least they’re invested in the game rather than using their votes to push whatever storyline they think will get the most clicks.
