Charles Barkley rips Lakers' JJ Redick to shreds after rookie HC calls out media amid ratings slump (Image Credit: Imagn)
Last month, LA Lakers coach JJ Redick attributed the NBA's reported ratings decline to its critical media coverage. However, two weeks later, NBA legend-turned-TNT analyst Charles Barkley pushed back, blasting Redick and the Lakers for contributing to the league's waning appeal.
Much has been made about the NBA's apparent popularity decrease over the first third of the season, with numerous reports emerging about diminishing television viewership. In late December, Redick weighed in, making the case for the league needing more positive TV coverage to attract "casual fans."
"I don't think we … have done a good job of storytelling, of celebrating the game," Redick said. "If I'm a casual fan and you tell me every time I turn on the television that the product sucks, well, I'm not going to watch the product. And that's really what has happened over the last 10 to 15 years. I don't know why. It's not funny to me. This game should be celebrated."
