It is no secret the NBA ratings have fallen on hard times.

Top stars like LeBron James and Kevin Durant are in the twilight of their future Hall of Fame careers, and budding young players like Anthony Edwards, Zion Williamson, Ja Morant have yet to truly capture the fervent attention of a broader basketball audience.

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Rick Pitino, the current St. John’s men’s basketball coach and former head coach of the Boston Celtics, offered his two cents on how to increase ratings.

"It has been reported that the NBA ratings are down 28% this year alone," he wrote in a post on X on Wednesday. "Suggestion, bring back hand checking and more physicality. The players are too strong, too quick, and have become amazing shooters."

Everyone and their mother seems to have an idea about why the game has not drawn as much interest as it once did. The increase in 3-point shooting, stars deciding against playing on back-to-back nights and fans’ interests elsewhere during the regular season have all been named as potential factors.

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NBA Commissioner Adam Silver seemed to agree with the latter.

"We’re almost at the inflection point where people are watching more programming on streaming than they are in traditional television," Silver told The Athletic. "And it’s a reason why for our new television deals, which will enter into next year, every game is going to be available on a streaming service. 

"And as we move to streaming service, putting aside how the actual game is played on the floor, it’s going to allow us from a production standpoint to do all kinds of things that you can’t do through traditional television. All kinds of new functionality, all kinds of new options and screens that are available.

"The vast majority of people consume us through media, not in person. So we have to pay a lot of attention."

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It's been over three decades since Lou Carnesecca was last on the sidelines for the St. John's Red Storm, but his presence continues to be felt.

"Looie" died last week at the age of 99, prompting a multitude of tributes in the college basketball world as well as the tri-state area.

But the St. John's legend is still fresh in the minds of many, including current head coach Rick Pitino.

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During the Jonnies' game against Kansas State on Saturday, Carnesecca wore a replica vintage sweater that Carnesecca made famous during his time with the school. It's the school's first game since his passing. 

The game was played at the arena that bears Carnesecca's name - the arena opened in 1961 and was named after the Hall of Fame coach in 2004.

Carnesecca was the coach of St. John’s for 24 seasons over two stints. He led the team to 18 seasons in which the team won at least 20 games and 18 NCAA Tournament appearances. His teams produced star players like Chris Mullin, Bill Wennington, Mark Jackson and Walter Berry.

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St. John’s won the NIT Championship in 1989, and Carnesecca was named to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992 – the year he retired from the sport.

Carnesecca took over for Joe Lapchick before the start of the 1965-66 season. He became the head coach for the New York Nets of the American Basketball Association in 1970 and later came back to the team, known then as the Redmen, replacing Frank Mulzoff.

His best team was the 1984-85 squad led by Mullin, Berry, Jackson and Wennington. They had 31 wins and were 15-1 in the Big East, making it to the Final Four before losing to the Patrick Ewing-led Georgetown Hoyas.

Carnesecca was 526-200 in his coaching career. He was a three-time Big East Coach of the Year and two-time U.S. Basketball Writers Association Coach of the Year.

Fox News' Ryan Gaydos and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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St. John’s men’s basketball coaching legend Lou Carnesecca, who coached the program for more than two decades, has died, the school announced Sunday night. He was just a few weeks shy of his 100th birthday.

Carnesecca was the coach of St. John’s for 24 seasons over two stints. He led the team to 18 seasons in which the team won at least 20 games and 18 NCAA Tournament appearances. His teams produced star players like Chris Mullin, Bill Wennington, Mark Jackson and Walter Berry.

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St. John’s won the NIT Championship in 1989 and he was named to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992 – the year he retired from the sport.

"Hall of Fame coach Lou Carnesecca '50C, '60GEd, '00HON, who led the St. John's men's basketball team for 24 seasons and endeared himself to generations of New Yorkers with his wit and warmth, passed away on Saturday surrounded by family," the team said.

"The legendary head coach leaves behind his beloved wife of 73 years, Mary, as well as his cherished family – daughter Enes, son-in-law Gerard (Jerry), granddaughter Ieva and her fiancé Frank, his dear niece and nephew, Susan Chiesa, John Chiesa and his wife, Nancy – as well as his extended family and his closest friends join them in their loss."

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Carnesecca took over for Joe Lapchick before the start of the 1965-66 season. He became the head coach for the New York Nets of the American Basketball Association in 1970 and later came back to the team, known then as the Redmen, replacing Frank Mulzoff.

His best team was the 1984-85 squad led by Mullin, Berry, Jackson and Wennington. They had 31 wins and were 15-1 in the Big East, making it to the Final Four before losing to the Patrick Ewing-led Georgetown Hoyas.

The team won 31 games the next season as well, but was stunned in the second round of the tournament by Auburn.

Carnesecca was 526-200 in his coaching career. He was a three-time Big East Coach of the Year and two-time U.S. Basketball Writers Association Coach of the Year.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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