Part 2/9:
In older eras of basketball, such as the 70s and 80s, physicality was a given. Players like Bill Laimbeer embodied this rugged spirit, where getting knocked down didn't warrant a helping hand. The current state of the NBA, however, seems more akin to a science experiment than a grueling battle on the playground. Analysts point to the league's relaxed rules, disfavoring hand-checks and permitting less physical contestation of shots.
Adam Silver, the NBA commissioner, recently acknowledged a concerning trend: traditional television ratings have plummeted, even as social media engagement rises. While the NBA may control the narrative online through Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, something essential seems to have been lost on the hardwood.