There is no doubt that NBA viewership is on a decline. As per Jon Lewis of the Sports Media Watch, The Lakers and the Suns game on TNT from a week ago saw a decline of 30% from the previous year’s game. In fact, the game faced competition from a Duke-Kansas men’s college basketball matchup on ESPN, which had an average of 2.02 million viewers. Many have chimed in over the years about the key reason for losing customer’s interest. Larry Bird too aired his grievances, but it seems fans don’t entirely agree with his reasoning.

“Some guys in this league are in here because they play defense.” Larry Bird spoke to ESPN back in 2016. “I just wish they would clean up some of the areas in the officiating. It’s really not the officials. It’s really how the rules are written. But it’s getting to where guys are just driving, getting bail-out calls by jumping into defensive players, and that’s not how the game, in my mind, is supposed to be played.”

As per the Celtics legend, the rule change was the main issue of the game being unwatchable. But fans think otherwise, as some blamed the players for ‘bait-out’ calls in their favor. And today’s NBA conversation couldn’t be without LeBron James and his domination, but the netizens blamed him for the watered-down defense. But let’s not forget, Larry Bird earlier this year implored critics to shut off the criticism about King James.

“I tell people quit whining about LeBron.” The 3x NBA Champion said in an interview with NBA TV, “Enjoy him while he’s here. He’s unbelievable. He’s one of the greatest, if not the greatest, ever.” However, some avid NBA watchers see this greatness differently.

Disagreeing with Larry Bird, Fans name LeBron James and other accomplices for the issue

When Michael Jordan made his debut, the league viewership went up because he offered something different from the other teams. We all know by now, the ‘Bad Boy’ Pistons had one of the toughest defenses at the time. So, a free-flowing MJ in the league was like a breath of fresh air. So, the league established a rule to encourage more players on the offensive end, and that was when LeBron James was part of the league. “It’s Lebron and Adam Silver’s fault.”

Another fan, even roped in the best three-point shooter of all time. “Shoutout LeBron Adam silver and curry for watering down the league and making it shot chucking and layups all game.” Over the years, ‘baiting for fouls’ is not the only thing LeBron James is blamed for. Some fans blame him for the formation of super teams in order to establish domination. And another former player made that point recently. “I mean, it’s just like listen, I’ve known to break a few wills, sent someone from Cleveland to Miami.”

Paul Pierce was on the Dan Le Batard Show and took a shot at the Lakers superstar for the formation of the Big 3. Another fan felt the same. “Competition went out the window when Lebron joined Prine Bosh and prime Wade. After that players just wanted to team up and play with each other instead of go against them and destroy them.” But let’s all understand that Larry Bird never pointed at any particular player during the interview. And even though the interview was from 2016, the feelings about the 4x NBA Champion have been still the same in 2024.

“Exactly and this is why people think lebron the 🐐 been playing in a soft no defense league for at least the last 8 years no wonder he playing so long nobody even touches him.” And to hammer the point home, one netizen even dragged LeBron James’ fans into the debate.”SOMEONE TELL LEYBRON FANS THIS PLEASE” So, do you think Larry Bird hinted at King James, or it’s not the Akron native’s fault?