Jason Whitlock has made waves with his controversial take on why NBA ratings are declining, attributing much of the dip to an increasing presence of international players in the league.
“Quite frankly, hats off to Nicola Jokic, hats off to Giannis Antetokounmpo, but too many foreign players. Again, Americans like Americans. We like American success stories. We’re nationalists by nature. They’ve ruined that. The best players are foreigners.”
“God bless him, but they just don’t connect the same way as the old players did. Larry Bird was from French Lake, Indiana. I don’t really know where Luka Doncic is from, Slovenia maybe? I’ve never never been to Slovenia.”
“Giannis is he, is he Greek? Is he African? I don’t know. Where’s he from? I don’t know. I’ve never been to his hood. Can’t relate.”
“Isaiah Thomas nailed the point about no variety in style of play. Everybody just does the same thing. And why wouldn’t they, you get paid 20, 30 million bucks to go out and jack up threes. Why not take that money to the strip club? You can be hung over. You can be high and jack up threes. Not hard to do that.”
“Steve Kerr and Greg Popovich. I just list those two because they are basically the AOC and Barack Obama of the NBA. It’s their job to take a dump on America and tell everybody how racist and unfair America is and how everybody’s a victim.”
“Can’t stand them. I mean these guys and their little postgame press conferences or pregame press conferences where they just dump on America. No one likes that. I can’t believe Jason McIntyre is blaming Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal.”
“And I’m like, we got two coaches whose entire brand is America’s a racist garbage place. And you know, half of you voted for a guy that I think is Adolf Hitler. I don’t want to hear it.”
Whitlock’s opinions have stirred debate, as many fans and analysts have pushed back against his assertions. Critics argue that international players like Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Luka Doncic bring unique skills and global appeal that elevate the league’s brand. They also note that the NBA’s global reach and inclusion are significant factors in its financial success, even if traditional television ratings are down.
Whitlock didn’t stop at international players, pointing out several other factors that he believes are contributing to the NBA’s struggles:
1. Don’t want to compete (Load management)
2. Unlikable, politicized players
3. Too much 3-point shooting
4. Stars don’t go to college
5. Too many foreign players
6. No variety in style of play
7. Steve Kerr and Gregg Popovich
Still, Whitlock’s critique reflects a sentiment held by some fans nostalgic for a different era of basketball. His remarks tap into broader cultural tensions around globalization, patriotism, and the evolving nature of sports. Whether his points resonate or alienate, they highlight the complex factors at play in the NBA’s current state.
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