When the NBA rolled out its first-ever In-Season tournament early this month, there was much skepticism whether it would work. Some people felt that creating a mini-tournament within the season would only add to confuse fans. Traditionalists worried over the distraction it could cause in the overall set-up of the season. However, the more dynamic and creative minds felt that unveiling a mini-championship at the early phase would catch on among fans, players and teams. The objective of the mini-tourney was to create more interest among players and fans, with something to chase this early in the long season.
But once it was decided to proceed with this experiment, all systems went full throttle to make things work. The league would celebrate a winner of the first-ever NBA Cup this December 9 in a fast-and-furious abbreviated tourney. Aside from the mini-tourney set-up, there would be new uniforms and new court colors to differentiate the games from ordinary regular season games.
For the players, there was the added financial bonus, with a tidy half-million dollars each for every player on the winning team.
Now, after 6 playdates, we look back and review the results of this experiment. And I must say that yes indeed, the new mini-intramurals has generated lots of interest, as teams jockey to clinch a spot in the next round. We have witnessed intense competition which we usually find only in playoff games, as the teams race for a quarterfinals seat.
The tournament is being played in two stages; with the first stage grouping teams into groups of five. The winners of each group, along with a wildcard – the second-place team with the best record in each conference – move on to the quarterfinals. This is now followed by a knockout quarterfinals stage, when the field is reduced to just eight teams. The quarterfinals will be on Dec. 4 and 5, before the semifinals on Dec. 7 and the final on Dec. 9 are held at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
In the East, the surprising Indiana Pacers (3-0) have clinched a spot in Group A, bumping off the Cleveland Cavaliers (2-1) and the pre-tourney favorite Philadelphia 76ers (1-2) in the process.
In East Group B, the Milwaukee Bucks (2-0) appear headed to clinch the group’s qualifying slot with the New York Knicks (2-1) and the Miami Heat (2-1) still in the thick of the fight.
In East Group C, the Orlando Magic (3-1) are the biggest surprise. Although the pre-tourney favorite Boston Celtics (2-1) and the Brooklyn Nets (2-1) still have a chance to tie the Magic at 3-1, Orlando’s point differential gives them the upper hand here.
Over in the West, the Los Angeles Lakers (4-0) surprised the cage crowd by clinching a spot in the next round. Pre-tourney faves Phoenix Suns (3-1), saddled with early injuries to Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, hope to chase the wildcard slot.
The West Group B has surprised us the most. Who would have thought that – with the defending champs Denver Nuggets, early season leader Dallas Mavericks, and the James Harden-reinforced LA Clippers in the group – it would be the New Orleans Pelicans (3-1) and the Houston Rockets (2-1) battling it out for the group title? Yup, the surprising Houston ‘we-have-a-problem’ Rockets have a great chance to clinch the group crown if it wins over the Dallas Mavs this Tuesday, owing to its win over the Pelicans. If the Rockets lose, then the Pelicans move on to the next stage.
Finally, the Sacramento Kings (3-0), the Golden State Warriors (2-1) and the Minnesota Timberwolves (2-1) grind it out in the final playdate for the West’s group C slot. Sacramento draws swords with Golden State. If the Kings win, then they move on. If the Warriors win, there’s a tiebreaker rule to cover a double or a triple tie, something that could happen if the Timberwolves win their last game against the OKC Thunder.
So there you have it. The mini-tourney this early seems to favor the likes of a healthy Laker team, who seem to be more susceptible to injuries as the long season progresses. Key injuries to the Denver Nuggets (Jamal Murray- hamstring), the Phoenix Suns (Devin Booker – calf, Bradley Beal- disc) and even the Philadelphia 76ers (Joel Embiid – hip) and more have given other teams the golden opportunity to compete for the group slots.
So far, the new set-up has provided for more interest in the early season games. Players are hyped up to really dive for loose balls. Coaches have been giving their key players more playing time. Fans are more attentive to the team standings this early, as they hope for qualifying stage tickets for their teams. The only red light to my mind are the loud court colors, which somehow makes it difficult for guys with weak eyes to see ball movement better. If they can change that for next season, then I’m all in!
Joe Dumars, NBA Head for Basketball Operations, said that: “Everybody’s not going to buy in right away. These things take time. As time goes on, I think you can build this up and people can really get into it.” True. Eventually, I see the mini-tourney becoming an early season permanent fixture for the NBA.
Change the court colors to a lighter hue, and I’m all for it!
Cover photos courtesy of NBA.com, Marca.com, Cleveland.com, KSL Sports and AP News. Other photos courtesy of x.com, YouTube and AS-USA.
Color My World 
I thought that this was a unique experiment and I’m glad that the NBA decided to go full throttle with it. If it doesn’t draw interest in the league then so be it – at least they tried.
I do appreciate the departure from the regular courts though, it’s yet another example of the NBA really investing in this in-season tournament.
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I think this will be a big success, and I hope this becomes a permanent fixture in the next seasons. I too appreciate the change in the courts, though there are some courts that use a dark shade that makes the ball harder to see, especially for old folks like me.
Cheers and a belated happy thanksgiving, my friend!
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Charles, even though the Sixers didn’t fare so well in this, I have found the experiment to have this tournament be interesting. I know some of the players and fans were not happy with the positions they were put in as far as attaining the best point differential to move forward, and maybe that doesn’t have to be the option going forward as to who advances and who does not. The courts look wild and I’m all for that, as long as player safety is paramount and the courts aren’t slippery as a couple of players have noted. I do think it will become a permanent fixture, even if they have to tweak a few things.
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Thanks, Bruce! Yup, I am now a big fan of the In-Season Tourney. A few tweaks here and there and it will be perfect!😊👍🏼
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