In preparation for the event, NBAthe clubs were divided into six groups, each comprising five teams. Each team is scheduled to participate in a total of four tournament matches which will take place on Tuesdays and Fridays throughout the month of November. These matchups will determine the six group winners and select two wildcard qualifiers who will advance to the quarterfinals scheduled for December 4 and 5.
The climax of the tournament will see the final four teams compete for glory in Las Vegas, with semi-final matches scheduled for December 7 and the championship showdown on December 9.
Remarkably, all 67 tournament games will be included in the regular season standings, with the exception of the championship game. NBA Executive Vice President Joe Dumars explained the motivations behind the tournament, saying, “With the addition of this new flagship event to the NBA calendar, we strive to provide players and teams with a another competition to win, engaging fans in a different way. and generate more interest in the first part of the regular season schedule.
Reactions to the tournament were mixed, with some players echoing Memphis guard Marcus Smart’s sentiment that it might not have the same importance as the main focus of the season. Smart noted, “To be completely honest, no one cares. It’s the biggest issue we care about.”
On the other hand, San Antonio Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich views the tournament as an exciting opportunity for ultra-competitive players. He thinks it could also serve as a preview of what could unfold as the NBA playoffs approach in April. “It’s exciting for everyone,” Popovich said. “All these guys are very competitive… if you put something out like that, it just adds to that competitiveness and really signals what could happen towards the end of the season.”
A notable feature of the tournament is that teams will wear special uniforms and compete on distinctly painted fields for these matches. This innovative approach aims to instill excitement from the start of the season, providing a unique experience for players and fans, particularly for teams who may not compete in a full campaign but could shine during tournament.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver reflected on the importance of the tournament, saying, “Traditions don’t happen overnight. » The event’s potential to increase rights rates will undoubtedly be a key topic of discussion as negotiations for the new broadcast contract begin.
The tournament’s opening night promises to be action-packed, including two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic and the defending champion. Denver Nuggets And Giannis Antetokounmpo. Early group stage matchups include Dallas at Denver, Golden State at Oklahoma City, Memphis at Portland in the Western Conference, while the Eastern Conference will see New York at Milwaukee, Washington at Miami, Brooklyn at Chicago and Cleveland at Indiana.
The drawn groups in the Eastern Conference feature fierce competition between teams including Atlanta, Cleveland, Detroit, Indiana and Philadelphia in Group A, Milwaukee, New York, Miami, Washington and Charlotte in Group B, and Boston, Toronto, Orlando. , Chicago and Brooklyn in Group C. Meanwhile, the Western Conference groups are just as intense, with Group A hosting Utah, Memphis, Portland, Phoenix and the Los Angeles Lakers, Group B with Denver, Dallas, Houston, New Orleans and the Los Angeles Clippers and Group C with Oklahoma City, Golden State, Sacramento, Minnesota and San Antonio.
(With AFP entries)
