The NBA is all about those three-pointers these days. For many fans, the world’s top basketball league, and the sport in general, has been dominated by the three-point shot for years. Others believe that more points make the games more exciting. The iconic Shaquille O’Neal, however, is not one of them.

Shaquille O’Neal: “We’re seeing the same thing over and over again”

The 15-time NBA All-Star believes it is the reason for the decline in NBA viewership in the United States: “I have a theory. Viewership is down because we’re seeing the same thing over and over. Nowadays, every team is shooting threes. They’re all running the same plays in the damn zone behind the free-throw line, with the dribbling and the step-back. And viewership will keep dropping unless we go back to how things were done before.”

O’Neal’s comments came after a record-breaking game in terms of statistics. Sunday night’s matchup between the Golden State Warriors and the Dallas Mavericks saw 48 three-pointers made between the two teams, the highest in any game in NBA history.

The Warriors hit 27 of those (a franchise record), including 18 in the first half alone (tying the league record). Among those getting involved was, of course, Steph Curry, the NBA’s all-time leader in three-pointers.

The point guard, who made seven threes, was also the target of Shaquille’s half-joking, half-serious criticism: “Curry has ruined basketball,” he said, referring to the revolution brought about by the Warriors star, the first player to consistently shoot (and make) threes from anywhere on the court. Literally.

NBA viewership numbers significantly down

NBA viewership is down compared to this time last season. Opening night viewership was 42% lower, and the second day of the season saw a 30% drop. The NBA Cup games have also been watched less than last year’s.

However, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver doesn’t share Shaquille’s view, believing the reasons for the decline in viewership to be external.

“This year, we had to compete with a Dodgers-Yankees World Series, two very attractive teams. They drew a huge audience,” he explained. Another reason, the commissioner says, was the American elections, which drew attention away from other content.

Original article written by Fernando Faucha, translated with the assistance of AI and edited by Roddy Cons.

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