Is LeBron James responsible for the increase in television ratings during the 2010-11 NBA season?
While NBA commissioner David Stern thinks so, the Miami Heat forward disagrees.
“I think it’s great,” James said. “Another NBA season, another great year for everyone. Everyone that’s a part of it. You’ve seen fans love the game of basketball once again. So if I had anything to do with it, which I don’t; there’s too many players, there’s so many great players I don’t think individually I had anything to do with it. Just trying to do my part.”
You’re far too modest, LeBron.
Television ratings are up more than 30 percent so far compared to last year while attendance is slightly down. In Stern’s eyes, “The Decision” played a part in drawing more attention to the league.
“I think when you have so many people tune into an event — some of whom have never watched a game before — it does raise the interest of a certain number of people to tune into the games,” Stern told Jason Whitlock of FoxSports.com.
Unless you’re going to be a Timberwolves or Raptors game, NBA tickets aren’t cheap. The amount of money you would have to shell out for two tickets can be spent on the NBA League Pass, giving you access to over 40 out-of-market regular season games a week.
Plus, it doesn’t hurt that the Heat have lost just once since Thanksgiving.