The NBA isn’t what it used to be and former Lakers champion Derek Fisher has pointed out some stark differences while comparing the league to the WWE.
He believes that the focus has shifted towards fan entertainment rather than fierce competition, drawing parallels to WWE.
“When I kind of tap into more of [being] a basketball fan when I watch the NBA today, I sometimes compare it to [when] the WWE was WWF, World Wrestling Federation, and then it shifted to World Wrestling Entertainment,” Fisher said on Byron Scott’s Fast Break podcast. “Again, not right or wrong because one could argue that the WWE is a more impactful sport than the WWF was, depending on what side of the conversation you’re on. I feel like all pro sports, to some degree, not just in the NBA– even in the NFL, you listen to guys that have played before and coached before. It’s a different game, and it’s not a negative thing. It’s just built more for the entertainment value maybe than the competitive value.”
“In previous generations, it was designed like a battle, a war. Gladiator, so to speak, and it doesn’t mean the guys now aren’t tough; they’re soft. I’m not saying that. I know that is said in some conversations, but that’s not what I’m saying; it’s definitely a different way for them to show up and compete.”
In more ways than one, the NBA has turned into a wrestling league. Draymond Green is one player that is making sure of it.
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