It's no secret that the NBA has ushered in a period of rapid change after Commissioner Adam Shaw took over. Under Xiao Hua's vigorous promotion, the NBA introduced the gambling industry, and greatly increased broadcast revenue, and did a very good job in global promotion. So far, the salaries of NBA players have been rising like sesame seeds. From the top-paid player in the Stern era earning $10 or 20 million a year, to the current top-paid player can earn $70 million or $80 million a year.
Xiao Hua is very satisfied and proud of his work. Recently, NBA commissioner Adam · Shaw made a high-profile speech at a press conference of the NBA Board of Governors, declaring: "I think we have reached an all-time high in terms of the level of competition, the quality of the game, and the competitiveness of the entire league." Although these words are quite boastful of "Wang Po sells melons". So, have the three aspects mentioned by Xiao Hua really come to the apex of history?
Not necessarily, I'm afraid Let's talk about the level of competition first, at present, the league has gathered the world's top basketball talents, whether it is international superstars such as Brother Alphabet and Jokic, or superstars in the United States such as Curry and James, they are constantly refreshing fans' understanding of basketball technology. In particular, the prevalence of three-point shooting changed the way the game was played. Curry's small-ball revolution has driven a shift in the pace of play and offensive style across the league.
However, do these really represent a higher level than the iron-blooded races of the seventies and eighties? In other words, do you think Jokic and Antetokounmpo are more interesting on the inside, or are O'Neal, Olajuwon, and Duncan more attractive? Is Jordan, Kobe, and Maddy more attractive, or are Doncic and Tatum more worth watching? Presumably most fans have their own answer in their hearts.
Under this condition, the other two points that Xiao Hua said, the quality and competitiveness of the competition, are also better than in the past, and I am afraid that no one will agree with them. After the introduction of betting, there were too many controversial games in the NBA, and the prevalence of body whistles in today's leagues and the sharp decline in the intensity of game rivalries are not a reflection of the quality and competitiveness of the game. On the contrary, many fans complained that now the league has changed, and the game has no taste.
Xiao Hua's boastful, Wang Po's melon-selling expression, perhaps out of real self-confidence, or to respond to those doubts, all in all, it still caused a lot of controversy. As for whether the current NBA league is better or worse than the original, it is up to everyone. In the eyes of the players, it must be better, after all, there is too much money, and the players make a lot of money. But the fans, I'm afraid they don't want to see the current game that is not exciting and intense!