Question on the NBA

Being honest, I don't watch/follow a ton of NBA. Haven't for years. Don't like where the game is headed.

But I have had a couple games on the last couple nights while doing things.

Anyone want to explain to me why 20+ point leads are not safe at all anymore? I've seen multiple games with teams having halftime or 3rd quarter leads like this and next thing you know they are down. 

I think San Antonio blew a 25+ lead a couple days back against Minnesota and tonight I was semi-following the Clippers game and Portland games, and in both cases both had 20+ plus leads midway through the 3rd quarter and both of them are throwing them away. The Clippers were up 26 and thats gone in like 10 minutes.

Anyone want to explain how you guys bet this stuff? I don't but I would be losing my mind. Like what is a safe lead? 40?

Because it's entertainment no body wants a blowout

Blowouts have always happened in sports. Sometimes teams are on and sometimes they aren't.

But take for instance the Clippers. I don't think they are in the playoffs right now and are in must win scenarios and they are going from up 26 to possibly losing the game. How is that entertainment?

@AJ86

 He’s saying entertainment for the viewers watching the game. No one wants to watch a blowout game lol it’s boring

Shot clock is 14 not 24 after an offensive rebound! No one really go deep into the 24 second shot clock before chucking up a shot! Teams shooting from deep and making 3’s like free throws to name a few! 

@spicycurry

I get what you are both saying. For the viewers, the closer the game I get it. But as players, what happened to just dominating? These are so-called professionals who all of a sudden don't care? Like I stated above, the Clippers are fighting for a playoff spot and they almost threw away a 26 2nd half lead. I don't get it. Same thing with San Antonio last week. 

Its like watching an NFL game every weekend and one team being up 27 midway through the 3rd quarter and it being tied right before the 2 minute warning. That makes no sense. 

This isn't me venting. Its just trying to make sense of what I was watching.

In my opinion, players feel they play too many games (82). As a result, like any employee who feels that way they take matters into their own hands and do what you or I would do, loaf, put in half ass effort sometimes, call in sick (or in their case ankle issues). They don't have motivation all the time to perform, thus leads evaporate. In addition, they all get paid by stats thus they all came to an understanding a while ago to play matador defense where I don't hurt you you don't hurt me, our stats go up and everyone gets paid. Whoever hits more 3s wins. Players are just as happy with a 5pt win as a 35pt win. Not all think that way, but most.

More 3s being shot now than ever makes scoring runs more frequent

@AJ86

 You also have to account for the referees rigging lol they can influence and shift the momentum all on their own so sometimes it isn’t what the players want, it’s what Vegas wants 

high skill level but no winning mentality is the trend.. mamba mentality is basically gone and you cant call them out for it or public opinion turns against you. in competitive sports, especially at the highest level, once you lose concentration its very hard to get it back over a short period, or at all within the same game.. sports science has advanced and the average skill level of players has gone up significantly over the past decade and they can make you pay. hate to agree with people saying money ruined sports but they arent wrong per se.. most kids consider making it to the nba/nfl winning now 

@StraightWagers

@papyo

I do agree with a good portion of what you are saying. In todays game, the thing I find about the NBA players (in specific) when it comes with fans and media is they are very sensitive. The effort I have seen from one quarter to another is like night and day but you read about how the players now don't like fans getting on their case, players needing rest days more often and the motivation to play hard all the time is gone when you have 9 figures being pumped into your bank account.

I was just shocked with what I've seen in the couple of games I caught this week. Maybe I'm the minority but the product has gone downhill.

Once you get up 25, you have to have the intestinal fortitude to finish the job.

Most teams dont gave 'assassins .

YOU can thank analytics for that......its not cause of entertainment...its not cause of rigging....it is because of the 3 ball. even a team with a competent bench can put together 3 3pt out of 4 possessions...

And as we speak about "motivation" I see the best team in the league OKC is about to lose at home against Indy, who has the worst record in the league.

Like I said in my first post, I have no clue how you guys wager on this league. It seems completely random.