NBA Finals: LeBron’s Legacy Won’t Be Done Justice this Season, Here’s Why!
By: Baigen Seawell
In March, everyone was excited to see what was planned for LeBron James and the Lakers with the growing success the team saw as they inched closer and closer to the playoffs. But it was hastily halted, meaning we won’t be able to honor his legacy in the way we should be able to.
With the NBA, MLB, and NHL all being halted in March due to the COVID-19 Outbreak, many of the things we usually have been looking forward to have been tweaked. Our sports circadian rhythm has been put out of wack, and we’re trying to get it back.
Once we got our “new normal,” the talks began to start back up again. But for the NBA, there’s been the talk of one of the best to ever do it, and the legacy that he’s inching closer and closer towards.
But let’s be honest, this season is not the most idealistic way to honor the King’s legacy.
LeBron has entered his 17th season this year, and has not looked back. Over his career, he’s evolved the game, helping foster new stat lines and player performance ratings to follow in the league, along with a growth and popularity in the point-forward position.
There’s no doubt that he and his teammates are destined for a championship ring after the trials and tribulations the Lakers franchise faced. If they win, this will result in a 17th ring, more importantly, an honor to the late Kobe Bryant, who was LeBron’s closest friend and greatest rival.
The Miami Heat, who represent the Eastern Conference, stars one of the youngest players to ever compete in the Finals. At 20 years and 256 days old, Tyler Herro is a household name in his own right, taking on a veteran leading his team to victory. This should be the talk of the town, everyone should be tuned in.
But they aren’t. At least according to the numbers.
But from the media side, no one is watching this unfold in real time. Game 1 of the Finals was thought to be the lowest viewership in league history with 7.4 Million. Then Game 2, the numbers dipped to 6.1 Million. Finally in Game 3, the NBA Finals had an all-time low of 5.9 Million viewers.
This sucks. But it’s not a political agenda or whatever people will throw out there…
Like many other leagues, they’re all fighting for a spot on the television. The second game fell on a Friday, which usually doesn’t get too many views according to Sports Illustrated. Game 3 fell on the same day as the America’s Game: Football (I can’t even say I was tuned in that game).
While unfortunate, we are in a paradox where we are experiencing all sports at once, making it nearly impossible for most of us common folk to watch several games at once. I’m sure the average family doesn’t have a 10 TV set up just for the sake of watching every game possible. People also find themselves streaming more than watching live cable TV, especially in the wake of the pandemic.
The argument can be made that “the NBA has been down in viewership for years!”
But… so has everyone else. Sports viewership is not what it used to be.
So what does this mean for LeBron? Does this mean he plays for more seasons so his presence is felt the way that it should have been this season? Maybe. Maybe not. But the magnitude and celebration that should be given for his contributions to the league may be put on hold because, unfortunately, not enough people are tuned in this season, and that’s no one’s fault but the damned TV Guide.
On the flip side, he’s still one of the greatest, he’ll still be acknowledged, along with Caruso, Davis and the rest of the Lakers. If they win the Finals, they’ll still get the attention from every news source, especially Skip Bayless’. Kobe’s Legacy will be resurfaced and the significance of the Laker Dynasty will be rightfully so placed in the forefront, as they’ll be tied with Boston for the most championships.
Viewership wise, the King may not get the amount of eyes on him as he should. The legacy will be much sweeter when reminiscing on the whirlwind that was the 2020 NBA Season.
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