The talent in the NBA is undeniably superior, but the college game captures something the NBA has lost: soul, excitement, and authentic passion.
College basketball stayed focused on the game itself, while the NBA leaned into wokeness, slogans on jerseys, and over-politicization, alienating many fans.
For perspective, watch any Bulls vs. Knicks playoff game from the mid-90s or the great Lakers vs Celtics games of the 80’s. The game was raw, physical, and authentic—players weren’t bailed out by constant hand-check fouls. It felt like watching warriors battle, not just athletes in a sanitized product.
Now, add a layer of performative politics and ideology—like Mark Cuban’s insistence on blending social commentary into the brand—and the NBA has gone from must-watch TV to cringe-worthy spectacle. Fans don’t tune in for lectures; they tune in for the love of the game. The league’s shift has dulled its edge, leaving a once-dominant product struggling for relevance. @tsiskey
College basketball stayed focused on the game itself, while the NBA leaned into wokeness, slogans on jerseys, and over-politicization, alienating many fans.
For perspective, watch any Bulls vs. Knicks playoff game from the mid-90s or the great Lakers vs Celtics games of the 80’s. The game was raw, physical, and authentic—players weren’t bailed out by constant hand-check fouls. It felt like watching warriors battle, not just athletes in a sanitized product.
Now, add a layer of performative politics and ideology—like Mark Cuban’s insistence on blending social commentary into the brand—and the NBA has gone from must-watch TV to cringe-worthy spectacle. Fans don’t tune in for lectures; they tune in for the love of the game. The league’s shift has dulled its edge, leaving a once-dominant product struggling for relevance. @tsiskey
