I'm really struggling to understand what the point of the in season tournament is. Why do I want the season to stop, and any momentum to stop, so that our players can... Keep playing in games that don't actually matter? I really don't get it.
Same. But I thought the play-in tourney was stupid too until I watched it so who knows
That's a fair point.
Everyone seems really cynical about this, but I think the games will end up "mattering" a lot more than people expect, and I think that may be really fun. It may give players lower on the roster time to shine in higher intensity games, which could be great. Plus, from a spectator perspective, ending the tournament in early December in Vegas could make it pretty desirable for people interested in making the trip. I know if my team made it that far, I would consider it.
Thanks for the perspective. I'd like to think I'm less cynical and more... ambivalent? Like I'm not mad, I just sorta don't get it.
But I appreciate your comment and view.
@theragu40 @Ph0mX I think the tournament is unnecessary, but the games do matter, they count for the regular season record.
So is it like game played in the tournament and won is less games that have to be played for the rest of the season? Confused, since some teams would rather opt for load management.
@NightOwl no, all tournament games count as regular season games (except the final). Teams that don't advance to the knockouts will continue playing regular season games as the tournament is happening. But this is super confusing and the NBA has done a terrible job of explaining it. I think maybe even some teams haven't understood the concept yet.
Ah, that is an interesting wrinkle I didn't realize! Still confused but less so. Thank you!
The answer might just be money
I'm very confused too. Have a hard enough time having teams care about regular season, all star, and even play offs is pretty much championship or bust depending on the expectations of a team. So I don't understand what the draw of mid season tournament is. Some players don't even want to hold the ECF or WCF trophy.
I am excited to see this play out. I honestly wish the winner would get some sort of draft capital for the 1,2,3 place teams. 1st-early second round pick 2nd-mid second round pick 3rd-late second round pick
Or something similar. Also get those numbers for winners up to $1M per player, with MVP getting another $1M going to charity of their choice.
"Each player on the winning team will take home $500,000; players on the second-place team will get $200,000 each; players on losing semi-finals teams will get $100,000 each; and the quarterfinalists will earn $50,000 per player."
Doesn't count against the cap - especially for some end of the bench players, this is very decent bank
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