they don't even do that anymore. I don't know if it is because they are all foreigners or whatever, but the fact that Lebron is their go to guy for marketing is killing their brand. For one, Lebron has been around so long that he doesn't move the needle for most casual fans. He also has a lot of baggage that upsets many.

But even the foreigner thing doesn't hold up. You had American stars win the title a year ago and then get very little national attention.

The sad thing is you have extremely marketable stars in Jokic, Giannis and Doncic. They are all good guys who are funny and people gravitate to. They should be the faces of the NBA. But instead they try and push guys like Lebron, Zion, AD and the like. It is not working!

I mean market the start by Cleveland with their talented young players. Market Wemby more. Market a young Tyler Haliburton. Market Sacramento's stars.

But yes, blacking out the local team is moronic for the NBA. There are 41 home games a season and a non contending team is not going to sell them all out. Kids want to watch. Instead you are telling them to watch football, or hockey or whatever else.