Xiao Hua admits that the league has created new stars, James Curry is abandoned, and the ratings plummet in the first game of the finals

The latest report by the well-known NBA reporter Shams Sharania, the ratings plummeted in the first game of the 2025 Finals. Most media, experts and reporters believe that the two small-season teams, the Thunder and the Pacers, lack superstars. President Adam Xiao Hua refuted this statement in an interview, and also cryptically admitted that he made a star, and could only gradually abandon balloon stars such as LeBron James, Curry and Durant.

The Thunder won the first game of the finals and took the lead. Alexander scored 38 points in 40 minutes, Halliburton scored 14 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists and contributed a final. Despite this, the attention of the finals this season has dropped sharply. Last season, the Mavericks played the Finals with the Celtics, and the ratings dropped by 27% compared to the ratings of James leading the team to the Finals in 2014, and 37% compared to the 2004 Kobe and the Lakers played the Finals. From a broader perspective, the overall NBA ratings dropped by 54%. Before the finals officially started, the official forecast was that streaming ratings would increase by 6.8%, but the final result did not meet expectations.

Adam Xiao Hua said that don't care about the TV ratings of the finals, just enjoy the Thunder and the Pacers' game. The Pacers finished the reversal when they were 15 points behind in the first game of the finals. Halliburton's finals scored some suspense, saving the lower ratings to some extent. If the Thunder wins the first game and even leads 3-1 in subsequent games, the ratings of the finals this season are likely to hit a record low. For the league officials, the good news is that the Pacers persisted until the end and won the first game, which also gave Adam Xiao Hua the confidence to speak in the face of media interviews.

"Look at the players in the finals, Alexander is a superstar, and Halliburton is also a superstar." Adam Xiao Hua responded to the lack of superstars in the finals. American sports media believe that the finals of the Thunder and Pacers lack star flavor, and the fans' favorite Curry, James, Doncic and Durant are all blocked from the finals, which is not a good thing for the league. Adam Xiao Hua publicly refuted this statement and made it clear that any superstar is played through the finals. The league will eliminate balloon stars and continue to create new superstars, so that the league can operate healthily.

"Stars like James, Curry and Durant have established their legendary status as superstars through the finals, which shows that Alexander and Halliburton can do this as well." Adam Xiao continued, the first game of the finals seemed to prove his view, Alexander's data shone, Halliburton's key goal helped the Pacers win the game, and each proved the advantage of leading the team to the finals. Halliburton is 25 years old and Alexander is 26 years old. Both defenders have an age advantage. Compared with 40-year-old James and 37-year-old Curry and other stars who are about to be outdated, the league officials are more inclined to invest resources on young stars. Even if the league wants to win young stars, it can still choose big city teams like New York and Los Angeles. The Lakers also have young superstars like Doncic. In terms of population, big cities also have an absolute advantage. The two teams hid in the city this season's finals. Indianpolis' total population is 6.9 million, and Oklahoma's total population is 7.02 million, far lower than Los Angeles and New York, and less than Chicago, the Bay Area and other cities. Adam Xiao Hua also gave an explanation on this issue. "88% of the population of the United States lives in cities smaller than Oklahoma City and Indianapolis." Adam Xiao quoted Oklahoma city mayor David Holt's data. "The finals can produce new superstars. Two small-market teams can play in the finals and play exciting games. It is even more exciting to create championships between such teams."

Xiao Hua's point of view is that the playoffs and finals are high-end games where stars are born. Excellent game play can push Alexander and Halliburton to new heights. Alexander won his first MVP award this season, Halliburton has been one of the most explosive and influential players during the Eastern Conference playoffs, and contributed a finals to the finals. As young players continue to emerge and dominate the playoffs and finals, there is no reason for the league to continue to solicit stars like James, Curry and Durant whose careers are coming to an end.

Pacers win the first goal in the finals, and the Thunder will definitely counterattack strongly. Halliburton and Alexander lead two small-scale teams to play various advantages, and also expose the immature side of the young team. The finals must be played until at least the fifth game to decide the winner. This may increase the ratings of the finals in the future and bring fans back to the game site. The league will also create new star appearances, and all this is what the NBA official and president Adam Xiao Hua want.