I agree with the view that the NBA appears too subjective with rule enforcement, but I would like to remind those old enough to remember of 4 words: Dean Smith four corners.
I mean I still watch a lot, just do not take it seriously.....also the era has begun of just doing your stuff and then watch for a minute or two...go back to your stuff, watch a minute or two.....rinse repeat.
I think people can create a lot of judgments in their heads, that doesn't really match what's happening. A main example, there isnt much conclusive evidence that refs "call more fouls" & blow more whistles than previous era. There's even been recent declines in foul calls. Also some suggestions on tightening rules will only add whistle stoppages. Such as calling traveling & palming more. Would it be a thing of being ok with more whistles - cuz its calling the things "you" like called? Like ["Yeah you show that ball carrying, traveling bum , ref!" LeTravel LMAO] Even if it adds more stoppages, to nag on fundamentals is the reward? Also, not calling travels & such seems to indicate that it's about what they want, of "letting players play" instead of ticky tack stoppages all day. I think a couple things need consideration on what detracts the viewing experience. That today's game just has a lot more possessions per game. Even at same whistle rate, more possessions will mean more overall whistles & stoppages. Also, it's just a shorter attention span society now. With condensed game highlights, ability to block commercials, just more overall entertainment options, etc impatience has increased lol. If 2025 NBA was played exactly the same as 2000 NBA style, it'd still be testing people's shortened patience overall.
In my youth, the NBA didn't start televising games until January after the NFL season was over. And then mostly on Sunday. Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game was not even recorded, so we can't watch a replay of it. In the 70s and early 80s they even tape delayed the playoff games. Kind of feels like we have gone back to the old days.
There are good and valid reasons to choose not to watch the NBA related to the way the league is run (i.e. association with sports gambling and terrible regimes, a-hole billionaires owning most of the franchises, corrupt officials distorting play, etc). And I actually do agree that too many teams make the playoffs these days, and the monetization structure of the league is convoluted and screwed-up, although those are relatively minor issues for me. "Players get traded sometimes" and "no defense" as your reasons not to watch, though...?
The NBA is the greatest pro league bar none. 1) If a game is close, then every possession is meaningful and exciting. And teams can come back if they are down by playing good defense and making shots. 2) I like scoring and that makes it more exciting to me than games with low scores (e.g. soccer, hockey, etc). 3) The games are shorter than the NFL and MLB and about the same as the NHL. NFL games are almost an hour longer than NBA. MLB are almost 20 minutes longer. That's too long for me. And if you have to watch a replay of an NBA game (because league pass screws you out of games) then the games go by even faster because they cut out the commercials. 4) There's some parity in that teams are not tops for 10 straight years. OKC is on the upswing but that might only last 5 years or so (let's hope). 5) With only five players on the court at a time, the draft is very important and exciting. A team can go from bad to playoffs just from drafting or trading for one big player. 6) There are a lot of games (which is good and bad). You can watch your team three or four times a week. 7) Tickets aren't incredibly expensive if you can go to a game. 8) The players in the NBA care about fans and have hearts. The owners not so much, but the players yes.
Especially coming frome somebody that did not watch the NBA overall that much other than a few Memphis Grizzlies games.
