In its inaugural year, the NBA in-season tournament has undeniably emerged as a resounding success, captivating fans with thrilling match-ups and injecting a new layer of excitement into the heart of the basketball season.
I’ll be the first to admit I was skeptical when this was first announced by the league, but maybe like you, and many others, after a game or two, it quickly grew on me.
Rating are up, attendance is up, and the eagerness to watch a Tuesday night game in November has never been higher.
Just sit back for a second, and ask yourself when was the last time an NBA game was must-see T.V at this time of the year?
Usually, at this time of the sports season, competing with the NFL is a task in its own right, but teams from across the league have embraced the unique competition, elevating their gameplay to higher levels as they all vie for this new mid-season championship.
The tournament’s unique format, strategically positioned within the regular season, has not only fostered intense rivalries but also provided players with a renewed sense of purpose, giving them real reason to show out and compete.
At the end of the day, even with all of the issues the league has faced with officiating, and player management, establishing a way for competitive basketball in November and December, when usually no one really cares until after Christmas was windmill slam dunk for commissioner Adam Silver and his team.
Real entertainment mixed in with competitive games in the dog days of the season was, without a doubt, a huge success for this league, for its players, and its fans for hopefully many years to come.