Debuting this most recent NBA season, the league debuted a new form of action with the “In season tournament.” The tourney gives teams, and players a perfect chance to display their skill.
Essentially the rules of the tournament consist of a random drawing of all 30 teams in the league, once drawn, they are split into six groups of five teams, and from Nov. 3 to Nov. 28, they will compete against each other twice to decide who advances to the knockout round. The knockout round consists of eight teams who demonstrated the ability to advance. Within these 8 teams they are seeded one through four on two sides of a bracket, and it is single elimination from there. The semi-finals, and championship take place in Las Vegas, and the winning squad gets a trophy, and each player and coach is given $500k.
While many fans, and even players at first found the tournament a silly idea, many have grown to enjoy it, including myself. The action gives some of the league’s best under the radar players, and teams to exhibit their skill. Since the tournament started, We’ve witnessed the breakout of star Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, and players like Lakers star guard Austin Reaves, showing off their talent.
The eight teams to make it to the “knockout stage” were the Lakers, Suns, Kings, Pelicans, Celtics, Pacers, Knicks, and the Bucks. The highest seeds were the Lakers and Bucks . And the final four who have advanced to Vegas are the Lakers, Bucks, Pelicans and Pacers.
I think that this tournament has brought entertaining games, and a more competitive style of play that in the end will pull in more viewers for these bigger games. Another thing they’ve added are colorful courts for each game. Some courts are awesome, and some not so much. I see this as a negative as it can be distracting,and bothersome to players and viewers.
On top of it all, the oldest player in the league, and most people’s vote for the greatest of all time, LeBron James, has proven even at 38, he still has elite ability to dominate.
When the tournament was announced, I personally thought that it would be stupid, and pointless, yet in reality, it has helped promote top players, and teams, and also hooked in viewership back to the NBA, and the popularity of the league has started to grow again.
Overall, I think the tournament was a great idea, and teams have been able to get key experience for the actual playoffs. Id rate the tournament a ⅘. And I couldn’t be more excited for the championship.
