Paul Pierce has a different perspective on the NBA’s declining ratings—and it doesn’t involve Stephen Curry. While some fans and analysts have pointed fingers at Curry and the Golden State Warriors’ dominance as contributing factors, the Celtics legend has his own theory centered on the league’s current roster of star players.

According to ‘The Truth’, the aging of the league’s marquee American players could be a significant factor in the ratings dip. Pierce also made waves with a bold statement, claiming that international players have taken over the NBA, leaving a void in emerging American superstars.

“I think international players are taking over, and I think there’s a lack of that new American star waiting to emerge,” Pierce said. “You know, I thought it would be Jason Tatum, but maybe it’s the style of play. I was watching the game the other day, and I saw like six threes go up back and forth. Maybe it’s just early in the season. And let’s not forget—football is in full swing right now. Once football is over, people start paying attention.”

Pierce’s comments highlight a growing sentiment that the NBA’s evolving style of play and the dominance of international talent, such as Nikola Jokić, Luka Dončić, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, might be shifting the league’s dynamic. While Jokic has won 3 MVP honors and 1 championship title, Antetokounmpo boasts 5 All-NBA 1st Team selections and 1 championship. While it may spark a buzz of the same old Euro vs. USA on social media with heated debates, it’s a different notion than the ones highlighted by veterans and experts.

So far, there have been claims regarding the rise in three-point shooting. Curry and the Golden State Warriors are claimed to be the driving force behind the three-point revolution in the league. In the 2023-24 season, the Celtics led in three-pointers per game, with 42.5 attempts per game. However, the NBA Commissioner has denied that three-pointers are the reason behind the drop in ratings.

Adam Silver talks about the drop in NBA ratings

The buzz around declining NBA ratings is understandable, especially with the league having just secured a massive $76 billion broadcasting deal with ESPN, NBC, and Amazon. ESPN has reported a 28% drop in viewership, trailing TNT, which averages 1.8 million viewers per game, with its 1.77 million average.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, like many others, has his theories about the slump—but they don’t include the three-point revolution or the dominance of international players. Instead, Silver attributes the dip to external factors like the presidential elections and the World Series.

“I think we’re just looking at a couple of weeks of ratings. There’s always some unique things,” Silver told Front Office Sports. “This year, we were up against the World Series—Dodgers-Yankees—two very attractive teams that brought in a big audience.” He continued, “You had a presidential election commanding an enormous amount of attention. So I don’t think it has anything whatsoever to do with the style of play on the floor.”

Despite the current dip, many remain optimistic that viewership will rebound as the season progresses, particularly with the high-profile games around Christmas, a traditional highlight of the NBA calendar. What do you think—will the ratings bounce back, or is this a sign of a deeper issue? Share your thoughts in the comments below.