Shaquille O’Neal’s comments about the state of the NBA and the rise of the three-point shot have sparked a conversation on the current direction of the sport. O’Neal, a legendary center known for his dominance in the paint, expressed his belief that the heavy reliance on three-pointers has led to a repetitive style of play, which he argues is contributing to a decline in NBA viewership. According to O’Neal, the constant barrage of threes and the repetitive style of offense—focused on dribbling, step-backs, and shooting from beyond the arc—has made the games less exciting for fans, leading to a drop in interest. He believes that if the NBA returns to its more traditional playing style, with more variety and focus on other aspects of the game, it could help improve the viewership numbers.
This sentiment was shared following a game between the **Golden State Warriors** and the **Dallas Mavericks**, which saw a record-breaking 48 three-pointers made between the two teams. The Warriors alone hit 27, including a league-record-tying 18 in the first half. The performance was a showcase of the shooting revolution, largely attributed to **Steph Curry**, who is credited with changing the way the game is played with his exceptional range and shooting ability. O’Neal, while acknowledging Curry’s greatness, jokingly added that Curry has “ruined basketball” by influencing this three-point-heavy style.
O’Neal’s comments come amid a noticeable decline in NBA viewership. The NBA’s opening night viewership was 42% lower compared to last season, with subsequent games also seeing drops. The NBA Cup games have also been less watched than the previous year. However, **NBA Commissioner Adam Silver** disagrees with O’Neal’s take, attributing the dip in viewership to external factors such as the competition from the **Dodgers-Yankees World Series**, as well as the distraction of American elections, which drew attention away from sports content.
While O’Neal and Silver have different perspectives on the reasons behind the viewership decline, it’s clear that the ongoing debate about the role of the three-point shot and its impact on the game will continue to shape discussions around the NBA’s future.
