Derek Fisher recently appeared on Byron Scott's Fast Break podcast , where he provided a thought-provoking take on the evolution of the NBA.
(Cleaned up for better understanding)
"When I watch the NBA today, I sometimes compare it to—if you remember—when the WWE used to be the WWF. I don’t know if everyone remembers that, but there was a time when WWE was WWF, the World Wrestling Federation."
"Then it shifted to World Wrestling Entertainment. Now, again, it’s not about right or wrong, because one could argue that WWE is a more impactful sport than WWF was, depending on what side of the conversation you’re on."
"I feel like all pro sports, to some degree—not just the NBA, even the NFL—you listen to guys who played or coached before, and they say it’s a different game. It’s not a negative thing, it’s just that the game today is built more for entertainment value than maybe for competitive value."
"In previous generations, it was designed as though it was a battle, a war, like Gladiators, so to speak. That doesn’t mean the guys now aren’t tough or that they’re soft." (25:47)
"I’m not saying that. I know that gets said in some conversations, but that’s not what I’m saying. What I am saying is that it’s definitely a different way that today’s players are able to show up and compete."
Fisher , a five-time NBA champion, drew an intriguing comparison between the current state of the NBA and the shift in professional wrestling from the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). He used this analogy to highlight the difference between today's NBA and the league from previous generations, which he believes was more about competition than entertainment.
Fisher noted that this change wasn't inherently bad, just different. The same can be said for the NBA's transformation over the years. He acknowledged that today's NBA is more geared toward entertainment, drawing fans with high-paced action, highlight reels, and marketing-friendly storylines. This evolution, he explained, has made the sport more marketable and engaging for a global audience, but it comes at the cost of the pure, physical, gladiatorial nature of the game that once defined the league.
For Fisher, the shift in the NBA reflects a broader change in professional sports, where the focus has become more on fan engagement and entertainment value rather than the grueling, physical battles that characterized older generations of basketball. The former Lakers guard clarified that this doesn't mean today's players lack toughness or competitiveness. Rather, he believes the structure of the game itself has evolved, and so have the expectations of how players perform on the court.
Fisher’s analysis reflects the changing nature of the NBA, where the physicality of players like Charles Oakley or Shaquille O'Neal has given way to the skill and finesse of stars like Stephen Curry and Luka Doncic .
The modern NBA emphasizes spacing, three-point shooting, and a faster tempo, making it more appealing to casual fans and helping the league expand its global reach. However, for purists like Fisher, there’s a sense of nostalgia for the days when the NBA resembled a battle of gladiators, where physicality and mental fortitude were just as important as skill.
His comments underscore the tension between preserving the spirit of competition and embracing the new era of basketball, one that caters to entertainment while still showcasing remarkable talent.
Related: Derek Fisher Compares Nikola Jokic To Shaquille O'Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, And Michael Jordan
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