The NBA experienced a decline in viewership during the 2024-25 season, and many players offered insights into the reasons behind this trend. Recently, when discussing the new NBA All-Star format, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James attributed the decline in fan engagement to the prevalence of three-pointers.
Prominent Assyrian-American businessman and podcaster Patrick Bet-David suggested that James subtly criticized Stephen Curry amid the NBA’s rating downturn. Furthermore, in a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Bet-David referred to James as the “Worst Face of the NBA Ever.”
“The NBA’s decline happened under your tenure. Period. Blaming the 3-point shot for it is just you throwing shade at Steph Curry. Quite frankly, he’s been more exciting to watch than you. He’s hands down the worst face of the NBA ever. He’s on the top 5 list. Respect him as a father but he hurts the NBA brand immensely” David wrote in his recent post on X.
The NBA’s decline happened under your tenure. Period.
— Patrick Bet-David (@patrickbetdavid) December 21, 2024
Blaming the 3-point shot for it is just you throwing shade at Steph Curry.
Quite frankly, he’s been more exciting to watch than you.
pic.twitter.com/6DfQTJmUkl
He’s hands down the worst face of the NBA ever.
— Patrick Bet-David (@patrickbetdavid) December 21, 2024
He’s on the top 5 list. Respect him as a father but he hurts the NBA brand immensely.
Shaquille O’Neal previously mentioned that the current focus on three-point shooting among players has resulted in a decline in viewership. LeBron James shares a similar perspective on this issue. While neither star explicitly named Stephen Curry, David believes that James was indirectly pointing to Curry in his comments.
LeBron James’ Take On The Upcoming 2025 NBA All-Star Game Format
The NBA All-Star Game is introducing an exciting new mini-tournament format this year. For the first time, four teams will compete in three thrilling games. In the semifinal round, two teams will face off in Game 1, while the other two teams will go head-to-head in Game 2. The winners of these games will then advance to the championship showdown, also known as Game 3.
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A unique feature of this format is that the first team to score 40 points will be declared the winner of each match. During a recent interview, James reflected on the new All-Star 2025 games format.
“We gotta do something. Obviously, the last couple of years have not been a great All-Star Game, that Sunday night. But listen, it’s a bigger conversation, it’s not just the All-Star Game. It’s also our game in general…It’s a lot of f***ing threes being shot. So, it’s a bigger conversation than just the All-Star Game.” James said.
LeBron James, when asked about changes to the NBA All-Star Game format, touched on more issues with the league: “Our game, there’s a lot of f—ing 3s being shot. So it’s a bigger conversation than just the All-Star Game” pic.twitter.com/weKJVSyXfB
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) December 19, 2024
James and Curry showcased amazing synergy to the fans during the 2024 Paris Olympics. Therefore, fans believe that it is less likely the Lakers star hinted at Curry.
But listen, it’s a bigger conversation, it’s not just the All-Star Game. It’s also our game in general,” James continued. “… It’s a lot of f***ing threes being shot. So, it’s a bigger conversation than just the All-Star Game.
Also Read: Former NBA Veteran Reveals Why He Lost All Respect For Lakers Superstar LeBron James
