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Has James Harden always been an underrated TV ratings draw in contrast to his percieved unpopularity

Discussion in 'NBA Dish' started by HardenVolumeOne, Feb 21, 2021.

  1. HardenVolumeOne

    HardenVolumeOne Member

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    I can go down the list over the years but it seems like james harden when he was a member of the rockets generally always drew great tv ratings. Which is strange when you factor in his lack of jersey sales and perceived unpopularity among nba media members and casuals.

    these are just are some of the cable games that harden drew extremely high.

    Keep in mind these are cable televised games


    https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/20...riors-most-watched-game-postseason-game-four/


    https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2020/09/nba-ratings-thunder-rockets-game-7-jazz-nuggets-espn-abc/

    Rockets-Mavericks a 1.1 and 1.72 million on Friday, both above the network’s pre-hiatus average of just under 1.5 million.

    https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/20...cond round,on broadcast television since 2002.

    Sunday’s Rockets-Warriors NBA semifinal Game 1 earned a 4.5 rating and 7.26 million viewers on ABC, up 25% in ratings and 26% in viewership from last year (Jazz-Rockets Game 1: 3.6, 5.78M), and up 22% and 24% respectively from 2017 (Jazz-Clippers Game 7: 3.7, 5.84M).

    The previous high was 7.24 million for Game 4 of a Warriors-Rockets first round series in 2016.

    https://sportstvratings.com/rockets...le-sports-nets-for-sunday-april-26-2015/2189/

    https://www.netsdaily.com/2021/2/3/22264843/who-owns-new-york-nets-on-yes-overtaking-knicks-on-msg

    https://www.netsdaily.com/2021/2/20...ops-cable-adding-to-brooklyns-national-luster ( THIS GAME WAS WITHOUT KEVIN DURANT)
     
    #1 HardenVolumeOne, Feb 21, 2021
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  2. DreamShook

    DreamShook Member

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    Youtubers, influencers, celebrities make money off hate watching. Harden is(was?) the most hated star in recorded history for simply following the rules. I think these rating can be attributed a lot to hate watching and wanting Harden to get clamped.

    Even Rockets bubble games were highly rated when they're ratings weren't great.
     
    #2 DreamShook, Feb 21, 2021
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  3. Ramo$e

    Ramo$e Member

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    People legit want to see.... If he has what it takes. A highly skilled 3rd overall pick with a stand out beard, not to mention how Morey acquired him! All this made him easily marketable obviously because it's definitely not his personality. Lol Can the man who gets everything he whines for pull it off? Hopefully he does. He has a better chance than ever. Harden was often punished for Morey sake.
     
    #3 Ramo$e, Feb 21, 2021
  4. JumpMan

    JumpMan Contributing Member
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    Haters are also fans just on the other end of the fandom spectrum.
     
    #4 JumpMan, Feb 21, 2021
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  5. lakersuck2

    lakersuck2 Member

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    Harden was billed as the basketball equivalent of a heel in wrestling. You put him against your show ponies like Steph and LeBron and bang you have a full show. Not gonna sell jerseys that way but it'll get the views going.
     
    #5 lakersuck2, Feb 21, 2021
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  6. francis 4 prez

    francis 4 prez Contributing Member

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    i never thought of it until one of those bubble games last year where we had pretty crazy ratings. then this nets/lakers game did really well, so that's 2 different teams he did it on.
     
    #6 francis 4 prez, Feb 21, 2021
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  7. GreatOne1978

    GreatOne1978 Member

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    One of the biggest Clipper haters I know would root for the Clippers whenever they played Harden. This dude ain't watchable
     
    #7 GreatOne1978, Feb 23, 2021
  8. clos4life

    clos4life Member

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    Definition of a wrestling heel right here.
     
    #8 clos4life, Feb 23, 2021
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  9. GreatOne1978

    GreatOne1978 Member

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    People would actually tune in to watch a good heel. Lebron was a heel early in MIA. Rooting against Harden doesn't mean actually tuning in to the game btw
     
    #9 GreatOne1978, Feb 23, 2021
  10. jerryclark

    jerryclark Member

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    are you dumb? Thats literally what this thread is about. Like it or not people are trying to watch james harden. His games are some of the most watched in the nba
     
    #10 jerryclark, Feb 23, 2021
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  11. GreatOne1978

    GreatOne1978 Member

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    You're not educated about the New York market ? Heard of Linsanity? (Different franchise same market), anytime NY market team has a good team their ratings are gonna be through the roof regardless of Harden. There are so many NY transplants in other cities too who will tune in. The star of the show is Kevin Durant and his allure. The rest can thank the spotlight Durant brings
     
    #11 GreatOne1978, Feb 23, 2021
    Last edited: Feb 23, 2021
  12. clos4life

    clos4life Member

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    LInsanity? The flash in the pan? He was just a quick babyface that lost his popularity not even a year later. Harden as the NBA version of a heel has had great ratings year in and year out, even more so when he is about to be eliminated. People want to see him lose. That's the definition of a wrestling heel.
     
    #12 clos4life, Feb 23, 2021
    vlaurelio likes this.
  13. Rocket River

    Rocket River Member

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    Harden has been must see TV got 7 years

    Rocket River
     
    #13 Rocket River, Feb 23, 2021
    s3ts, ElPigto, BigShasta and 2 others like this.
  14. rockbox

    rockbox Around before clutchcity.com

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    Colin McGregor and Floyd Mayweather. People will pay to watch them win or lose.
     
    #14 rockbox, Feb 24, 2021
  15. vlaurelio

    vlaurelio Contributing Member

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    LOL Harden is the same stratosphere as KD not your savior Lin
     
    #15 vlaurelio, Feb 24, 2021
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