If the fans don't care yet, fine. But the players have cared so far and that's made these IST games really really good basketball. This isn't a one year thing, they're trying to build something with a lasting legacy and this is a good first step. That Warriors-Kings game for the last slot was probably the best game of the year and the Boston-Indy quarterfinal was also really good. Again, if the players care, eventually the fans will care.
I'll agree with the schedule but it's such a minor thing. Yeah, we've had to play Denver 4x already but I feel like there's always that one team during a season you'll play 3 or 4 times before the first 2 months are over and this year it was Denver and so it sticks out more because playing Denver is no fun. It's also a minor thing, you play who is in front of you. I think the first month of the NBA schedule has really missed something, while we will watch because most people that post on this forum love to watch basketball and will literally watch summerleague games, most casuals DGAF about November basketball and the IST I think did bring a few more along.
Face it, except for us diehards, the first 2 months of the NBA season is always a snoozefest. This tournament added some juice for the casual fan. This diehard has also found it entertainig since the players seem very much into it and that has elevated play.
You may not care about these games and this tournament…but it seemed pretty clear tonight that these players absolutely do.
Challenging your coach after elimination is funny. What's even funnier and ironic is the courts being the same since they made those with the idea of a landing strip and going to Vegas. Well now they are in Vegas, so they could've just had a nice trophy in the middle and better color coordinated courts.
Yeah honestly the final 4 has this problem too depending on venue. They should look at moving it around - MSG would probably be great, though obviously the whole rewarding Dolan aspect probably makes it impossible.
why would an in season tournament that consists of actual nba players and actual stars/superstars playing be the same as summer league where over half the roster isn't in the nba. the summer league is a tryout for most players through scrimmaging pick up games. most people don't even know the roster outside of 1 or 2 players bc they were drafted high
The SL tournament is nonsense and I have doubts it will last. The NBA is committed to making the IST a huge success and they've mostly achieved that. The players are passionate about it and the home crowds were loud and crazy. There are some things to fix, particularly the final four aspect. In particular, vacationers in Vegas who mostly don't care about the result are too quiet. LOL, maybe they should require a $50 bet on the outcome for each attendee.
The courts need to be fixed. If NBA wants to emulate FIFA, blend in different teams from the international stage.
To be fair - it was one day after the shooting on UNLV campus, which is only 2 miles away from the T-Mobile Arena. The whole city was still in shock, and I’m sure the tourists who were here understood the atmosphere was not typical Vegas.
Wish the Pacers could have hung on for a few more minutes but - jesus, Anthony Davis is playing about as well as he's ever played.
