The NBA’s In-Season Tournament is in its first year, and thus far the idea has injected enthusiasm into what is typically a less watched portion of the season. Players are already considering about future iterations of the tournament as the semifinals in Las Vegas get set to begin.
“I would like to see better designs for the courts; that’s one thing.” Damian Lillard, a point guard for the Milwaukee Bucks, remarked before pausing to consider other options.
“At this point, I’m not sure what else I would alter. The format seems to be rather sound to me. It seems to have been carefully considered. I can’t think of anything that I would change off the top of my head. What can we do to increase the price? That’s the only thing that comes to mind.”
When asked what he meant by “upping the prize,” Lillard immediately knew the answer.
“Cash. Sweeten the pot, that’s how you persuade folks to (work more), I mean,” he remarked.
Players in the competition are already eligible for a financial reward, and some have already made plans for how they will use it. The winning team’s members split the $500,000 prize money; the runners-up get $200,000. Participants with a spot in the semifinals have already taken home $100,000. Center for the Indiana Pacers Myles Turner feels that the money is a fantastic motivator, but he hopes the in-season tournament will have a lasting effect when the playoffs begin in April.
Turner stated, “to have more impact in the season itself.” Although it’s early, clubs with playoff aspirations should not expect an automatic playoff bid; instead, they may receive the automatic tiebreaker if they win this tournament. or anything more related to your record. not merely a financial reward. It sounds like a really good idea.
Turner added that the trip to Vegas was simple, and he is undoubtedly not the only one who enjoys the place. CJ McCollum of the New Orleans Pelicans recommended Miami as a possible host city and mentioned Vegas as a return venue.
Tyrese Haliburton, a guard with the Pacers, raised the notion of having more teams play in Vegas the next season, primarily because he thought the point differential that determined the winner of group play was unclear.
“Just to avoid the tiebreaker kind of mess that was going on,” he stated. “It was all, ‘If who wins, what happens?'” Perhaps engaging in a few more games, perhaps in a different conference and not with your group. Play additional games to create a variety of scenarios using tiebreakers and to make the situation somewhat more logical. For sure, I’m interested to watch how it turns out in the upcoming year.”
Regarding the celebration following a victory, opinions differed on whether or not a banner should be raised in the in-season tournament.
“I think at this point in my career, because I haven’t done anything yet, I’ll take a banner,” Haliburton stated. “I’m sure LeBron would not answer the same way.”
LeBron James, the four-time NBA champion, appeared to be indifferent to the banners in the meanwhile.
“That’s up to the league, I don’t have an answer for that,” he stated.
James went on to say that he needs more time to think through his ideas for the In-Season Tournament the following year.
“If I had some time to think about it, I might have a better answer,” he stated.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, the star player for the Bucks, was also unsure of his precise response, but it was because he was content with what he was already witnessing.
“It was enjoyable, the process,” he replied. Who would have cared if it had been a regular season game? It, in my opinion, increases awareness of our game. Not that I thought anything needed to be adjusted. So far, I think it’s fantastic.