NBA Finals Game 2 Ratings Historically Collapse; Another All-Time Low

The NBA took another L Friday.

Game 2 of the NBA Finals between the Lakers and Heat utterly collapsed with just 4.5 million viewers. The embarrassing average is down — wait for it — 68% from last year's Game 2, which featured a team in Canada. 

How bad is the number? It's the least-watched NBA Finals game on record. Dropping even below Game 1's 7.41, the lowest-viewed Finals opener in history. 

There is no way for the media to spin this positively. Declines of this magnitude are unheard of. Then, factor in the tank-job occurring with the league's biggest individual and team draw in the Finals — the NBA is officially a disaster.

A ship doesn't sink for one reason, but undoubtedly, politics sit atop the historical tank.

After nearly two decades of reinventing the NBA discussion, LeBron is now a detriment to the league's brand.

With misleading social statements, lying about putting human rights before his brand, bowing to China, refusing to comment on the shooting of two police officers, paying for fines so felons can vote (for Joe Biden), and craving celebrity worship — LeBron now alienates more viewers than he attracts.

The NBA's new self-inflicted identity is written in ink. Millions of turned-off Americans associate the NBA with radical politics catered to only a minimal number of sports fans.

How much lower can the ratings drop? Find out tomorrow.