{"id":2303,"date":"2025-03-16T22:19:46","date_gmt":"2025-03-17T02:19:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.red94.net\/news\/lakers-ratings-justify-extensive-media-coverage-stats-show\/"},"modified":"2025-03-16T22:19:50","modified_gmt":"2025-03-17T02:19:50","slug":"lakers-ratings-justify-extensive-media-coverage-stats-show","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.red94.net\/news\/lakers-ratings-justify-extensive-media-coverage-stats-show\/","title":{"rendered":"Lakers Ratings Justify Extensive Media Coverage, Stats Show"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/div>\n

\n<\/div>\n

\n<\/figure>\n

<\/p>\n

1. <\/strong>Recently, there has been considerable discussion regarding the NBA’s media coverage. Critics point out an excessive focus on popular teams like the Lakers and Warriors, while teams like the Cavaliers (55\u201310) and Thunder (53\u201312) receive less attention.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

As mentioned in previous articles, such as last Friday\u2019s discussion on Charles Barkley’s comments and Monday\u2019s piece on Robert Griffin III’s view that debate shows have detrimentally impacted sports media, it’s clear that media is a demand-driven industry. Ultimately, audience interest shapes coverage.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

For instance, the recent Lakers-Celtics matchup attracted 4.6 million viewers on ABC, making it the most-watched non-Christmas Day regular-season game since 2018.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Previously, a 2018 Pacers-Lakers game held the record with 4.58 million viewers, peaking during the finale of the 2023 in-season tournament. The highest viewership this season was on Christmas Day, with 7.9 million tuning in to see the Lakers versus the Warriors.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Also noteworthy was the Lakers-Mavericks game featuring Luka Doncic\u2019s first game against his former team, which drew 2.5 million viewers on TNT, marking it as the most-watched non-Christmas game of the season at that time, following Opening Night.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

On the other hand, a recent Thunder game against the Nuggets on a Sunday afternoon attracted 1.87 million viewers on ABC, while the subsequent Suns-Mavericks game garnered 2.03 million viewers, highlighting the varying national appeal of these teams.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

What does this data indicate?<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

While some may disapprove of the extensive coverage the Lakers receive, it\u2019s undeniable that they generate significant viewer interest. The desire to focus on underrepresented teams like the Cavs and Thunder is understandable, yet it does not align with the business aspect of sports, which prioritizes profitability.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2. <\/strong>Apologies in advance for being a bit of a downer, but this needs to be said.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Last night, Tyrese Haliburton excited NBA fans with a spectacular game-tying three-pointer against the Bucks, which became a four-point play, clinching a 115\u2013114 victory for Indiana.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n
\n

TYRESE HALIBURTON FOUR-POINT PLAY TO WIN IT pic.twitter.com\/BfhuhcEQdZ<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 12, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n

<\/p>\n

First, it was not a foul on Giannis.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Second, TNT\u2019s Reggie Miller\u2019s comment about the shot’s difficulty was exaggerated. The difficulty was evident to all viewers, which is why the play went viral on social media.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Nonetheless, credit is due to Haliburton, who not only made the shot but also showcased sneakers honoring WWE\u2019s Degeneration X and engaged with Triple H on social media following the thrilling victory.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n
\n

And if you don\u2019t like that\u2026 We got 2 words for ya!!!! https:\/\/t.co\/h3cSYhJjhx pic.twitter.com\/a8WOMG3yEc<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Tyrese Haliburton (@TyHaliburton22) March 12, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n

<\/p>\n

3. <\/strong>Here\u2019s Stephen A. Smith\u2019s response after a recent encounter with LeBron James.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n
\n

I didn\u2019t want to have to address this. I wouldn\u2019t have, either, had it not gone viral. Now I have no choice. @FirstTake<\/a> first at 10am EST. Then\u2026.The Stephen A. Smith Show on YouTube! Some things just have to be said. https:\/\/t.co\/QUxWuKRQVJ<\/p>\n

\u2014 Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) March 7, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n

<\/p>\n

Smith, who initially did not want to discuss the issue, has since repeatedly commented on it, most recently sharing his thoughts on Gilbert Arenas\u2019s podcast.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n
\n

\u201cI wasn\u2019t talking about your son\u2026I\u2019m talking about your a**\u2026. all of us as reporters, as a league\u2026 had to sit back and be quiet and capitulate to your s***, you did that!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2014 Stephen A. Smith on LeBron James<\/p>\n

(via @GilsArenaShow<\/a>)pic.twitter.com\/f9hrU5BDxV<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) March 11, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n

<\/p>\n

4.<\/strong> This was an intense exchange on Inside the NBA<\/em> last night.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n
\n

Shaq: “I like what Chauncey [Billups] is doing. Those guys play hard.”<\/p>\n

Candace Parker: “No, I can’t let this go. Who’s doing it?”<\/p>\n

Shaq: “Chauncey’s the coach right?”<\/p>\n

Lefkoe: “No.”<\/p>\n

Vince Carter: “JB Bickerstaff.”<\/p>\n

“I don’t watch Detroit [Pistons].” pic.twitter.com\/oixeH7SDBL<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 12, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n

<\/p>\n

5. <\/strong>West Virginia football coach Rich Rodriguez has implemented a unique strategy to improve his team’s image: prohibiting them from posting dance videos on TikTok. While he’s not banning the use of TikTok entirely, he’s specifically restricting players from dancing on the platform.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Rodriguez explained, \u201cThey\u2019re going to be on it, so I\u2019m not banning them from it. I\u2019m just banning them from dancing on it. It\u2019s like, look, we try to maintain a tough image, and dancing in your tights on TikTok doesn\u2019t really fit the image we want for our program.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n
\n

SportsCenter having fun with WVU Football HC Rich Rodriguez’s stance on TikTok dances. pic.twitter.com\/64M3n5V8Om<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Bryce Cohen (@BryceCohenMedia) March 12, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n

<\/p>\n

As I’ve repeatedly said since starting a daily column for SI many years ago: Football coaches are some of the most eccentric people in the world.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

6. <\/strong>I\u2019m planning a mailbag session later this week, so please send any questions you might have. You can reach out through social media or email them directly to Jimmy.Traina@si.com.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Additionally, I\u2019m now sharing this column and podcast daily on BlueSky for those who wish to follow there.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

7.<\/strong> The latest episode of SI Media With Jimmy Traina<\/em> features a discussion with The Ringer<\/em>\u2019s editor-at-large, Bryan Curtis, covering the latest in sports media news.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

We delve into topics such as ESPN discontinuing Around the Horn<\/em> after 23 years, the future of its host Tony Reali, Jimmy Johnson\u2019s retirement from Fox NFL Sunday<\/em>, the failed negotiation between Hard Knocks<\/em> and the University of North Carolina with Bill Belichick, and the implications of the MLB-ESPN split for both entities.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Sal Licata from WFAN radio and SNY TV in New York joins the conversation for our weekly \u201cTraina Thoughts\u201d segment. This week, we discuss Luka Doncic\u2019s influence on the Lakers, the surprising heel turn by John Cena, and Sal\u2019s recent trip to Disney World. The segment rounds off with my responses to Apple reviews for the SI Media With Jimmy Traina<\/em>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

You can listen to the SI Media With Jimmy Traina<\/em> podcast below or on Apple and Spotify.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n