A regular problem the NBL faces every season at this time. Fatigue plus whatever the current problem is (this year, FIBA)
But we dont want a shorter season. We want more games, a best of 5 game semi final series as well as the grand final. Didnt we? This FIBA window is very annoying but if your suggesting that the hype dies off at this time of year and the ramping up of the NRL (and AFL) season is kicking in now, then making the season longer including the playoffs isnt going to make it any better, which is what gets suggested every year, and with expansion coming will definitely be something to look at.
But then 19 weeks of NBL isnt much either, right? This year we will blame it on FIBA. Every other year we blame it on the footy codes. Next year? Expansion?