The Nuggets’ Dominance and Unexpected Struggles
Since the start of 2023, the Denver Nuggets have consistently dominated the Los Angeles Lakers, winning all eight of their regular-season matchups and eight out of nine playoff games. However, during their first-round playoff victory this spring, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope admitted on The Draymond Green Show that they felt the Lakers should have beaten them. Despite the series ending in just five games, the Lakers led at halftime in all of them, with two decided by a single possession and none by more than 11 points. Caldwell-Pope attributed their struggle to exhaustion, saying the team had expended most of their energy securing first place. This fatigue led to their upset loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the next round, where they squandered a 20-point lead in Game 7.
The Attrition of Modern NBA Playoffs
This pattern of fatigue and injury is a recurring theme in the NBA playoffs. In the 2024 postseason, 10 out of 15 series featured at least one All-Star missing a game due to injury. This trend continued from 2023 when seven out of 15 series had similar issues. Injuries to key players like Joel Embiid and Karl-Anthony Towns further illustrate the problem. This war of attrition raises questions about whether the best team truly wins, as many teams face the dilemma of prioritizing rest over victories during the regular season.
The Case for a Shortened Season
NBA athletes are more explosive and, perhaps, more injury-prone than ever before. Reports suggest that pushing young players too hard at the AAU level could be a factor. Caldwell-Pope highlighted the tough choices teams face: prioritizing rest or winning. To address this, the simplest solution might be building more rest into the schedule by shortening the season.
Adam Silver’s Stance and the Financial Dilemma
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has resisted shortening the season. He pointed to the 72-game COVID-shortened 2020-21 season as evidence that fewer games do not necessarily reduce injuries. However, the compressed schedule that season meant teams played more frequently, negating the benefits of fewer games. The financial implications of shortening the season are significant. More games generate more revenue, and with players and owners sharing basketball-related income nearly equally, both sides would lose money in the short term.
The New TV Deal: A Golden Opportunity
The NBA’s new 11-year, $76 billion TV deal with Disney, NBC, and Amazon is a game-changer, potentially generating $6.9 billion annually. This influx of cash presents a unique opportunity for the NBA to rethink its business model. If there was ever a time to consider shortening the schedule, it is now, when the league can absorb the short-term financial losses.
Current Health and Future Prospects
Despite the NBA’s current financial health, the grueling playoff format and declining TV ratings suggest the need for change. Playoff ratings dropped 12% last year compared to 2023, and regular-season viewership has also declined. While overall TV viewership is down, the NBA remains a valuable property, but sustaining long-term popularity is challenging.
Benefits of a Shorter Schedule
A shorter season could increase the stakes of each game, similar to the NFL’s successful model. It would reduce player injuries and make it easier for fans to watch games. Ensuring every team plays in every arena at least once and fostering geographic rivalries could also enhance fan engagement. A revised schedule could eliminate back-to-backs, giving players more rest and improving the overall quality of play.
The Reality Check
However, implementing such a plan is unlikely in the near future. The financial sacrifices required are significant, and the players’ union may not support it due to the immediate impact on salaries. While the new TV deal offers a chance to address these issues, the NBA is unlikely to act on it soon. Financial interests will likely continue to outweigh fan interests, despite the long-term benefits of a healthier, more competitive league.
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