This week, Game 1 of the NBA Finals were released and they wee quite rough for a matchup that features Jimmy Butler and LeBron James.
Game 1 of the Finals between the Lakers and Miami Heat brought in 7.41 million viewers to ABC, according to The Hollywood Reporter. That’s reportedly the lowest viewership for the Finals since at least 1994.
Jason Whitlock had a simple message for Los Angeles Lakers star on Thursday: “Can’t be the GOAT if you kill the game.” Whitlock blamed the down ratings on the league and James taking a stance on social issues.
He expanded on his feelings in a column:
“LeBron James is destroying my love for the game. James, Nike and China have dragged the NBA into a racial propaganda war with the United States as the opposition.
I feel like I’m being forced to choose between love of country and love of basketball.
That’s not a hard choice for me. I choose America. I can survive without the NBA. The NBA apparently can’t survive without pleasing communist-run China.”
Game 1 becoming a massive blowout didn’t help the NBA’s cause and now that the Heat are dealing with an assortment of injuries, it is likely to get even worse as the games go on.
