NBA Playoff Ratings Have Taken Horrible Step Back in 2019 Without LeBron James

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers will miss the playoffs this season, and his absence is already felt. LeBron had a huge impact on the playoffs and the NBA in general. The playoff ratings say it all.

King James will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2005, and the rating went down the hill. Some games have lost 50 percent of their viewership when compared to similar rounds in the previous season. These have also lost in the head-to-head matchup with the Masters.

The Spurs-Nuggets game didn’t compete with other sports, and hit in a 1.1, and that’s the lowest rating for a playoff game since Nets-Raptors in 2007 and Magic-Hornets in 2002.

The ratings went down for a few reasons. Maybe people are just fed up with the dominance of the Golden State Warriors. Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis are at home. The Knicks, Bulls and Lakers are missing the playoffs. So, yes, it all makes sense.

Kevin Durant, Kurie Irving, Stephen Curry and many others knew that the playoffs won’t be the same without LeBron.

“Obviously the rest of the league continues to go, a lot of talent, a lot of great storylines, people chasing championships. But he’s had an amazing run. Pretty sure he’ll be able to reset for next year and regroup,” Curry said. “It’s just different [with James not in the postseason]. It’s different, but what is it? [Eight] straight Finals he went to? I’m sure it’s a different experience for him, for better or worse. All the injuries they had and expectations coming in with obviously LeBron James joining your team, it goes through the roof. But everything is a process. This league is tough, man. It’s hard to win basketball games no matter who you have on your team.”

Irving knows LeBron really well, and he knows that missing the playoffs isn’t his style.

“I feel for him,” Irving said. “Obviously just missing a lot of time, as well as Brandon Ingram. But Bron as always been a championship contender. An he’s such a great player, such a great teammate. When you’re not eligible to qualify for the playoffs, it’s hard, I can only imagine. Like I said, I feel for him. I feel for him. I really do. I feel for him. I’m very empathetic towards it because how much he wanted to play during that time when he messed up his groin.”