This always existed. I will say that the play in game was a great idea and new ideas like this are really moving the NBA in the right direction. What didn't exist is so many teams that actually sleepwalk through the season. Maybe GSW will pay for it, maybe not. The fact that they are indeed sleepwalking doesn't really change my opinion on this and I'm not at the edge of my seat waiting to see if they pay for it or not. I can't honestly say the standings are the way they are because of fierce competition that's going on. On top of that, we all very well know that there is a massive gap between playoff basketball and RS basketball. Honestly this is a result of basketball strategy advancing the way it has....but the delta between 82 vs 16 games is as big as ever.
The amount of NBA teams has stayed the same. The amount of major sports leagues has stayed the same. The amount of people who are able and want to purchase has increased and so has the money that those people have. Owning a sports team is a huge status symbol and that's what billionaires want. The purchase is an extreme benefit tax wise, but also a good investment because sports franchises are scarce and don't go on sale often. Let's be real, it's also cool as **** to be a team owner. Likewise, the amount of competitors for live content has drastically increased as well as the money behind it. You basically have a new industry that was invented competing with an old industry on it's last legs that desperately needs live sports. Also it turns out that things get more expensive over time. If you bought a patch of grass 8 years ago and it turned into weeds it's probably more expensive today.
Luka vs LeBron ain't the main storyline in the NBA either. The biggest storyline this year has been whether or not a prominent player is a Nazi or just dumb. The NBA isn't pushing that of course, but it has been a bigger topic than the Warriors being in 11th place.