Is The NBA Not Basketball Anymore?

June 19, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) is interviewed by NBA TV analyst Isiah Thomas following the 93-89 victory against the Golden State Warriors in game seven of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
June 19, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) is interviewed by NBA TV analyst Isiah Thomas following the 93-89 victory against the Golden State Warriors in game seven of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

Why we all should be watching the NBA a lot more

It’s funny, really.

In a world where everyone searches for meaning and yearns for continuity, when they eventually find it, they desire change and complain how things are boring.

In the case of the NBA, things have pretty much stayed the same – the contracts have gotten bigger, and the same few teams advance deep into the postseason. It’s gotten predictable. Or has it?

LeBron James has been in six straight NBA Finals. While impressive, it’s also a historic streak, one that has only been matched in recent history by the G.O.A.T.:

Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

Wait, what?

James Jones has also done it. He’s followed his buddy LeBron around dating all the way back to when the Decision was news and the Mavericks were competitive. (Sorry, too soon?)

But that’s not what I’m here to talk to you about. If you want to relive the Finals (look away, Golden State fans), go watch highlight videos on YouTube or NBATV re-runs. What I’m here to do is make a case for why people need to become fans of the NBA now, whether they already have been in the past, or just don’t see the point.

No, what I’m here to do is change the narrative on the whole ‘Not Basketball Anymore’ league. The league has changed, but sometimes change is good people. (Dwyane Wade leaving the Heat is not the end of the world).

Before we get too reflective, let’s take a look at the current state of the NBA.