There have been whispers of the NBA considering an in-season tournament to be added to the league schedule, and on Tuesday night, the Board of Governors reportedly discussed more details about the tournament.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, the Board of Governors discussed an in-season tournament featuring “all
The NBA Board of Governors today discussed In-Season Tournament concept of all 30 teams competing and then eight teams entering single-elimination round to determine the winner, with the Final Four at a neutral site, per sources. 2023-24 season at earliest.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 13, 2022
This news comes on the same night that the Board of Governors approved the Play-In Tournament “on a full-time basis,” and increased the penalty when a defensive player commits a “transition take foul.”
The NBA Board of Governors today approved a change to the playing rules that will impose a heightened penalty when a defensive player commits a “transition take foul”and approved the adoption of the NBA Play-In Tournament on a full-time basis. pic.twitter.com/zeEDP4JEp5
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) July 13, 2022
But the in-season tournament report has been the big eye-opener for NBA fans on Tuesday night. While it would obviously be a moneymaker for the league, there hasn’t been much explanation on why this in-season tournament would actually be a good thing for NBA teams, who are focused on winning (the real) championships. NBA teams are already resting stars enough as it is during the regular season, with the entire focus being on getting deep into the playoffs.
The (proposed) in-season tournament details have not been received kindly by most NBA fans. Here’s a sampling of the reaction on Twitter:
nobody needs this https://t.co/aVk0QN89f5
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) July 13, 2022
What on earth is the point of a mid season tournament.. like what is the reward? You're already playing for an nba title at the end of the year, who cares about a mid season tourney ?
— 🎤N-jay 🏀 (@_Njay3) July 13, 2022
All that matters is the NBA playoffs and the NBA Finals. You win the in-season tournament and what does that mean? Nothing. Bad idea https://t.co/iOP411cKPE
— Chase Senior (@Chase_Senior) July 13, 2022
My skepticism about an in-season tournament has always been how does it have stakes for fans or differentiated from just more NBA games? European soccer model works because it includes teams from different countries they wouldn't otherwise play and a Champions League trophy. https://t.co/26oNGCHcd1
— Mike Vorkunov (@MikeVorkunov) July 13, 2022
I think the idea of an in-season NBA tournament is about the stupidest idea there is. Teams and players are already sitting guys during the season to rest for the postseason, yet we want players to play more games that mean nothing.
I hate everything about this idea.
— Jason Shepherd (@jsnshep) July 12, 2022
Yeah, nah.
— Mark Deeks (@MarkDeeksNBA) July 13, 2022
I'm sorry to hear that https://t.co/cG8P01CkXf
— Robert O'Neill (@RobertONeill31) July 13, 2022
I’m out https://t.co/AGG2BgPSrq
— Shaun Morash (@ShaunMorash) July 13, 2022
Adding this to the NBA right before the current CBA expires so the owners have something else to concede in negotiations is nasty business https://t.co/hDCRn7mKO5
— Mason Ginsberg (@MasonGinsberg) July 13, 2022
There are very few ideas I keep hearing floated in the sports world that I hate more than this. Maybe none https://t.co/z4I312S1RH
— Ramie Makhlouf (@RamieIsTweeting) July 13, 2022
Why does Adam Silver think anyone wants a mid-season NBA tournament? This feels like Bill Simmons’ fault.
— Offseason Chopz (@Pchopz_) July 12, 2022
