Thread #154354310
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Why does OKC get favoritism?

Originally I thought there was some type of discrimination going on against the Euro league players. After all, why is Luka not even in the MVP discussion? When he's clearly had the best season, statistically speaking. Jokic might not win even though he averages a triple double. Is the NBA scared of the Euroleague becoming the world's most dominant basketball league?

Why are Shai and the OKC thunder promoted, and Denver/Jokic and or Luka not?

It simply comes down to marketability. Even though OKC isnt a big market, it comes down to who is most marketable on the world stage. OKC is:

Young
homegrown
clean
all best players already tied down to long contracts.
Built to be a "dynasty"

Therefore, this is the most marketable team in the NBA. No other team could claim this. THIS, is why they get so much favoritism from the officials.

Wemby. Another player that is heavily promoted by the NBA is receiving MVP consideration this season? WHY? His numbers aren't nearly as good as Luka or Jokic, yet why is he considered for MVP?

Wemby:
Speaks English well
media-friendly
Unique, “alien” type player (easy to sell)
Plays a flashy, highlight-heavy style

Jokic:
Boring, not flashy
Doesn't care
Doesn't chase media

Luka:
Polarizing, more expressive
Complains too much to refs

Taking this all in together you can now see why teams like the OKC/Shai and The Spurs/Wemby have become THE teams to market for the NBA.

In conclusion, this is all about marketability now. NBA is not about which team is the best. Teams get favorability from Refs and media based on how marketable they are.

Devin Booker is correct when he says the NBA is turning into WWE. And it's all because of marketing.

TLDR:
OKC/Shai get favoritism from officials because OKC is the most marketable team in the NBA.

Wemby gets favoritism in media because he's the most marketable player on the world stage.

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