Extra tournament is a success, and Lakers win the NBA Cup – 12/10/2023 – Sports

The inaugural edition of the In-Season Tournament, a championship within the championship in the North American basketball league, ended on Saturday night (9). With a 123-109 victory over the Indiana Pacers, the Los Angeles Lakers became the first winners of the tournament, an undeniable and, for many, surprising success.

In an attempt to combat the lethargy generally observed at the beginning of the season, which begins at the end of October, the league’s management created a separate competition for the trophy called the NBA Cup. The 30 teams were divided into six groups, with eight classified in the quarterfinals – the leader of each group and the best runners-up.

With the exception of the decision — held in Las Vegas, with the semi-finals, with mega production —, all matches were also valid for the traditional classification table. But, to make it clear that there was more at stake, all teams performed in uniforms created specifically for the extra competition. The design of the courts also changed, with bright neon-colored floors and a large cup painted in the center.

More importantly: there was money on the table.

Each player on the champion team took US$500,000 (R$2.46 million). Prizes were also given to those who lost in the final (US$200,000 or R$983,000), in the semi-finals (US$100,000 or R$492,000) and in the quarter-finals (US$50,000 or R$246,000). And the athletes didn’t make a point of pretending that the money was a detail.

“I’m sure the richest guy in the world would be happy to receive US$500,000,” he said before Kris Middleton, who this season alone will receive US$29.3 million (R$144 million) from the Milwaukee Bucks. “We’re all excited about the opportunity to take some extra money,” he added, before falling in the semi-finals.

LeBron James, whose annual income at the Los Angeles Lakers is US$47.6 million (R$234 million), was another to speak openly on the topic. “There’s US$500,000 at stake, and we’re going after it,” said the star, after the first victory of the campaign. “They’re well aware there’s a briefcase in there,” his coach, Darvin Ham, observed afterwards. “Money talks, man.”

The value of the prize, of course, is even more significant for lower-paid players. Those who have a “two-way” contract – they play on the support team, in the minor league, and can contribute to the main team in a limited number of matches – will earn US$ 559,782 thousand (R$ 2.75 million) this year ). Even though their prize in the In-Season Tournament is half of that received by the others, the US$ 250 thousand (R$ 1.23 million) taken by the “two-way” champion athletes already represents a huge increase.

“Obviously, it’s extra money, something that can help your family,” said Neemias Queta, one of the Boston Celtics’ two-way players, eliminated in the quarterfinals. “It’s all the more reason to be motivated,” agreed Phoenix Suns “two-way” Saben Lee, before also crashing out in the quarters.

This motivation provided what the NBA was looking for: stars on the court, without the usual rest regime, competitive games and high public interest. The average number of spectators in the gyms was the best in November in the league’s history, with 18,206 people per match. Still in the group stage, the broadcasters that broadcast the games nationally, ESPN and TNT, recorded an increase in audience of 26%.

There are several other metrics, but they all point in the same direction: the extra tournament is a success, something particularly important at a time when TV rights are being renegotiated. The In-Season Tournament debuted on an experimental basis, but it seems safe to say that the first edition will not be the only one.

This does not mean that adjustments will not occur, from the questioned court design to the competition system, considered confusing by fans and even some athletes. The tiebreaker criteria in the first phase, for example, based on the points balance, generated unusual situations.

There is an unwritten rule in the NBA that recommends avoiding unnecessary fights when the game is clearly decided. The Boston Celtics beat the Chicago Bulls by 32 points and began deliberately fouling Andre Drummond, a notoriously poor free throw shooter, which outraged Bulls coach Billy Donovan.

“We are absolutely open to alternatives,” said the league’s vice president of basketball strategy, Evan Wasch, who, despite the minor complaints and suggestions for change, is very satisfied. “From our perspective, the tournament was an incredible success.”