The NBA debuted its inaugural In-Season Tournament (IST) in 2023, a bold step that mirrors the traditional European soccer style tournaments.
By most indications, the NBA’s attempt at a European soccer-style addition to the regular season was successful in piquing interest among players, coaches, owners, media partners, and fans.
There could be more tweaks in the future.https://t.co/vZ4vUFGlp8
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) December 11, 2023
This strategic move undoubtedly stirred the curiosity of everyone involved. During a tension-filled finale, the Los Angeles Lakers emerged victorious against the Indiana Pacers in the IST finals.
Their win marked a significant milestone in the NBA’s storied history becoming the first-ever NBA Cup champions.
Despite the success, the 2023 NBA IST isn’t immune to constructive review and potential changes.
Adam Silver, NBA Commissioner, present at the final four showdown in Las Vegas, acknowledged that certain elements of the tournament are due for evaluations.
“I’m not ready necessarily to move away from it,” Silver said. “But if ultimately there’s going to be a sense particularly from our American fans that it’s somehow an indication of poor sportsmanship, that’s not a good idea for us to be doing it. And maybe there’s some ways to tweak that.”
Among the points of discussion is the criteria for determining tiebreakers during the group stage games, predominantly focused on the point differential aspect.
The introduction of the distinctly colored courts, while visually appealing, caused a bit of confusion among players and may need a revision.
Proving that the NBA puts the welfare of its players first, Silver reassured fans that the association is prioritizing safety considerations.
The colorful courts, which some players perceive as a safety concern, will undergo review to ensure optimum game conditions.
“I’m a big advocate of the colorful courts,” Silver said prior to the Lakers-Pacers championship game. “We want to make sure they’re not a distraction,” he said.
Prize money is another topic under review following players’ appeals for an increase.
The 2023 IST allocation saw winning players and coaches pocketing $500,000 each, runner-ups earning $200,000 per person, and semi-finalists getting $100,000 each.
“This is a business,” he said. “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with money being a motivator in certain cases.”
