In recent years, the NBA has been experiencing a unique period that can be described as the era of parity. Unlike decades past, when the dominance of one or two teams was the norm, the modern NBA has become more balanced and unpredictable. This trend, which began several years ago, continues to gain momentum. But is this good for the league?
Almost all of NBA history can be divided into eras of dominance by one or two teams. The ’60s were the golden era of the Bill Russell-led Celtics, the ’80s were the showdown between Boston and the Lakers, the ’90s were two Bulls three-shots interspersed with Houston. If we move to the 21st century, the period from 1999 to 2010 can be described as the era of the Spurs and Lakers, and from 2012 to 2022 was the era of the Warriors and LeBron James.
Stephen Curry and LeBron James. 2016
Photo: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
As you may have noticed, it is impossible to describe the 1970s this way. This is probably the most even decade: the champions changed constantly, there were no dynasties. But this parity was a consequence of the overall decline of the NBA during that period. The league was experiencing financial and popularity problems, and the entire brand began to develop a reputation for being a group of drug addicts and criminals. Yes, most likely it was racism, but for companies this does not matter: qualifications were needed.
That’s why the 1980s are considered the era of the NBA’s revival after a decade of decline. And then new dynasties appeared, new legends, superstars. Can we say that modern North American basketball has also begun to decline? It is unlikely, but also impossible to say that the league is at its peak of popularity.
This is where I’m leading with all of this. At first glance, it’s good for all fans when there are so many competitive teams in the league and there is intrigue. Let’s remember the last playoffs: who expected the conference final to be a showdown between Minnesota and Dallas? I think there are very few of them. However, such unpredictability is not reflected in the ratings: the current final and the last one had quite average results.
Anthony Edwards and Dwight Powell
Photo: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
When was the last time the NBA ranked high in the ratings? Paradoxically, during the confrontation between Cleveland and Golden State. It seemed like the regular season was boring, there was minimal intrigue and everything that happened until the end seemed like just a formality, with a few exceptions. But for a broader audience that doesn’t follow basketball on a daily basis, it’s always interesting to see the clash of well-known superstars. For a casual fan, it’s more interesting to watch Dynasties, because you get the feeling that something historic is happening before your eyes, of all time. During the last finals, did you have the feeling that something incredible was happening, something about which documentaries would be made and legends would be made? It is also very unlikely. But they will talk about LeBron’s confrontation with the Warriors.
But if the NBA is not in decline, where does this parity come from? One of the key reasons is the change in financial rules, which makes it more difficult every year to form a super team with a lot of stars. No, you can try (hello, Phoenix), but you won’t have the ability to bring in effective role players for the playoffs. We find year after year that you have between six and eight players on your roster that you have 100% confidence in making the postseason.
Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal
Photo: Robert Gauthier/Getty Images
Another important reason is that basketball is becoming less individualized. What I mean? In the early 2010s, advanced analytics began to make its way into the league. Along with this, so-called geek coaches began to appear, who use complex statistics and put great emphasis on tactics. The prime example is Joe Mazzulla, who just became an NBA champion.
Teams that rely heavily on the individual talents of their leaders may resonate more with fans, but in the eyes of analysts, this approach seems reactionary. Basketball is moving towards modern football.
During the 1990s and 2000s, football experienced its heyday in terms of the number of stars and legends. It would take more than one page of text to list all the iconic players from that period for which we all now feel nostalgic. Why did this happen? Team play then depended much more than now on the individual actions of players. Such conditions allowed talented players to shine, they had freedom. The drastic changes began precisely with Pep Guardiola, a friend of Joe Mazzulla. The Spanish specialist made structured football fashionable, with clearly defined roles and movements. Footballers in such a system are more like cogs in a general mechanism than bright personalities and creators.
Joe Mazzulla
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Similar processes began to occur in the NBA. There are superstars, but they are increasingly inferior to technical and systemic teams. Boston is a great example. In the last final, the “Celts” did not have a clear leader; Any player could shoot in each game. Even the series MVP in the end was not the team’s nominal best player, Jayson Tatum, but Jaylen Brown. What about the star teams? Failure after failure: Brooklyn, Phoenix, Clippers.
Many fans who remember the 2000s well complain that football is no longer the same. There used to be great players, but now casual fans don’t even know most of the players from the best teams in the European Championship. The problem is that these people evaluate football according to old standards: they want to see brilliant and individual actions, playing without a midfield, feints and long shots. In modern football there is much less of this; everything is subordinated to the coach’s system.
Kevin Durant, LeBron James and Stephen Curry
Photo: Jamie Sabau/Getty Images
I think similar processes can begin in the NBA. When the era of players like LeBron, Durant and Curry finally comes to an end, the general public will feel the void. Yes, new stars are emerging, but not all of them will achieve the same cultural significance as the NBA legends of the past. Especially considering that half of these stars are European and will never become true icons in the United States.
What can you offer a bored fan? Try to evaluate basketball from a more intellectual side. Consider the match not as a clash of stars, but as a clash of two teams, two systems, where the coaches play a game of chess against each other. In this sense, modern football is very interesting to watch; Tactical shows are gaining more and more popularity. This niche could be filled with a JJ Redick and LeBron James podcast, but for obvious reasons there will be no new episodes in the near future. But someone else will probably show up. And we all need to adjust our perspective a little.
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