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[Saba Sports News] Shaquille O’Neal isn’t worried about the NBA Finals featuring two small-market teams — and he doesn’t think the league should be either.
Asked whether a Pacers-Thunder matchup might hurt the NBA due to the smaller markets involved, O’Neal dismissed the concern, pointing instead to the power of social media and star-driven narratives.
“The day of the big market or small market has been over,” O’Neal told Sports Seriously. “Social media will carry it. The way that guys play will carry it. … Everybody wants it to be New York and L.A. Well, apparently those teams ain’t good enough for it to be there.”
While this year’s Finals will likely draw lower TV ratings than usual, O’Neal believes the competitiveness of the series and the social media presence of stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Tyrese Haliburton can more than make up for it. Despite spending much of his own career in major markets, Shaq sees today’s NBA as one where players — not cities — generate buzz.
Game 1 of the Finals tips off Thursday in Oklahoma City, and O’Neal is all in, regardless of market size.