In basketball, nobody just watches the ball go thru the rim. it's the pass/the drive/ the athleticism of the players leading up to the shot or dunk that excites fans.
The NBA has its own set of problems turning off fans. The analytics say chuck up forty three pointers per game. The poster boy for this is the Clippers. Guys drive to the hoop not to score. They drive to the hoop to draw in the defense to hit a shooter in the corner for the open three. Players pass up layups and open five footer to hit the open three shooter.
It’s awful to watch when a team has an off night and throws up forty bricks. When a team is having an off night they should be looking for the easy score.