I think part of it is that people are excited about someone other than LeBron doing these things and being the focus of the sport. I think LeBron fatigue has set in and NBA fans are looking to the next generation of stars, and especially enjoying guys like Kawhi who just play basketball.
Count me as one of those people. I loved LBJ coming back and winning a chip for The Land, but its honestly refreshing to have him not a part of the playoffs this year and have a guy like Kawhi, who doesnt do all of this soap opera BS all of the time, in the spotlight. Meanwhile Lebron cant go one day without leaking some story or doing something weird on social media just to draw the attention back to himself. Its honestly annoying af.
So I think I big part of it is that people are LeBron-ed out. It's been his league for such a long time, and fans seem ready for the next chapter. Especially with guys like Leonard who just hoop. Because the thing that's ruined the league even more than the lack of parity is all of this soap opera social media look at me superteam bullshit. And LJ is the king of that garbage, and he seems desperate to keep himself as king of the NBA spotlight. Hence the move to LA, but of course he has to try to steal everyone else's players now so he can have his THIRD superteam.
I'm ready to turn the page to guys like Kawhi, and celebrate that there's guys other than LeBron who can dominate . I think others are too.