Marcus Smart’s not very optimistic about the upcoming NBA in-season tournament, posing a challenge to the league’s efforts to generate enthusiasm.
Smart expressed the view that winning the in-season tournament is of little significance. The 2023-24 NBA season will introduce the inaugural edition of this long-anticipated tournament, in which the league has invested significant resources in to boost interest and inject more excitement into the regular season.
Scheduled to commence on November 3, the tournament appears to hold promise among fans. However, some players are already indifferent to this new addition to the NBA calendar. During media day, Marcus Smart, the guard for the Memphis Grizzlies, was forthright when asked about players’ opinions on the in-season tournament and the prospect of winning an alternate trophy.
Marcus Smart’s Not Very Optimistic About the Upcoming NBA In-Season
“Being completely honest, nobody cares about [winning in-season tournament], it’s the big one that we care about,” Smart Stated. “I have mixed feelings on it, but it’s great to be able to play more basketball, and I think that’s more of it, just those more games for the fans.”
The concept that the in-season tournament mirrors similar competitions found in European soccer, such as the UEFA Champions League, or the WNBA’s Commissioner Cup, where certain games contribute to the tournament standings. After a group stage, where teams face each other once, there will be a knockout round. The top team from each group, along with two “wild card” teams, will progress to the knockout stage, featuring single-elimination matches. The journey culminates in the semifinals and final, both hosted in Las Vegas. The victorious team will share a $500,000 prize among its players, while the knockout stage participants will receive varying monetary rewards, which could include bonuses or incentives.
In theory, this seems like an intriguing concept, but its success hinges on player endorsement. If other NBA players share Smart’s sentiments, it could diminish the tournament’s appeal. Tournaments like the UEFA Champions League thrive because players hold them in high regard, although they benefit from a rich history. If the NBA aims to emulate such success, it must secure player support.
If players don’t prioritize the tournament, fans may not either, which is crucial for its success, especially from a financial perspective. With a new media rights deal looming for the NBA post-2024-25 season, the in-season tournament could become a valuable asset in negotiations with networks, potentially helping the league reach its target of approximately $75 billion for the new contract.
The true reception of the in-season tournament remains to be seen, and perhaps excitement will grow as the semifinals and championship unfold in Las Vegas this year. Currently, though, it appears that some players are not particularly enthusiastic about the concept
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