10-31-2023, 05:31 AM
(10-31-2023, 04:21 AM)F Gump Wrote: I don't have any problem with the in-season tournament, and I really don't understand all the whining about it. Or all these declarations that it's going to be a sure fail, before they've played one single game
It's not changing the schedule. every team will end up playing 82 games, just like usual, and the games that are part of the whole tournament are part of the 82 except the title game. It's like giving kids trophies for "participation" in their youth leagues - what does it hurt?
The complaint that it won't be a glamor thing, or that it needs outside teams to participate, or that the league needs a shorter schedule, misses the whole point why the NBA is doing this -- which is, they're committed to the money of 82 games, but the season is so long that both players and fans lose interest in the early games. So, this is their attempt to "put lipstick on the pig" -- the pig being the dog-day games of Nov and Dec, prior to the glamor games of Christmas day.
It costs the league NOTHING to label these games special. But it might motivate better play in these particular games, and it might motivate better players to play and try to get extra bragging rights (and some cash prizes), and it might motivate a few more fans to buy tickets for what otherwise would be meaningless random early-season bags of nothing-ball.
I would wager that there WILL BE a lot of fanfare and attention, and perhaps excitement generated, when they have the final 4 in Las Vegas on Dec 7-9. Lots of wagering, too, which adds vested interest to fans. This also lends itself to Fall Madness contests, with creative brackets and scoring over the month, which draws added interest. I'm guessing we won't see it this season, but I would be shocked if it doesn't happen in 2024 and start to create a buzz.
Just my 2c.
Great explanation. It might actually work out..