NBA’s current commissioner, Adam Silver, is an inspiring figure. He succeeded in turning the league into an international phenomenon that it is today. Under his leadership, the NBA has seen unparalleled growth regarding both recognition and money. Silver’s inventive method towards the sport has attracted fans all around the globe, propelling the NBA to the top of the sports world.

However, while doing he has made some decisions which have greatly influenced the popularity of the sport. And in an interview with JJ Reddick, he spoke about those decisions and from where he got the inspiration.

Adam Silver talks about hosting new tournaments

Adam Silver’s devotion to innovation is potentially another distinguishing feature of his term as commissioner. He has implemented a number of innovative ideas, including the in-season tournament and the NBA G League. That has not only helped in gaining more spectators but also has assisted in keeping the league entertaining and relevant. He is additionally a pioneer in making use of technology to connect with fans and players via social media and other channels.

However, in the interview with JJ Reddick, he revealed from where got the idea of introducing new tournaments. “I think for this in-season tournament, I love the excitement around it”, Silver said.

He adds, “When I talked to teams and players, they seem to be getting up for it. But what I have seen is the International players which are roughly a quarter of our league have more familiarity with these sort of cup tournaments. Because we stole the idea from International soccer.” 

Silver further went on to say that the International players understand that these cups are also prestigious.

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It’s like in soccer, it is meaningful to even win the FA Cup and not only the English Premier League Cup. So as the players get accustomed to these new tournaments, it will keep getting ‘more fun’. Even Reddick replied and called the in-season tournament ‘an event’ with special courts and jerseys. However, what is different in the in-season tournament?

In-season vs. regular-season tournaments

The 2023-24 NBA season includes a thrilling new In-Season Tournament. This gives clubs the opportunity to earn accolades without having to wait until the NBA Finals in June. This competition consists of a group stage and knockout rounds, including the semifinals and finals taking place in Las Vegas. Each club plays four games against the other three teams in their respective groups. Each team will play two home and two away games on allocated ‘Tournament Nights’. Unlike the regular season, the prize pool is only available to knockout stage teams, with bigger prizes for those who advance further.

This competition also honors an MVP and an All-competition team. NBA hopes to entice casual fans by making the whole 82-game season more entertaining for viewers. The In-Season Tournament, which was introduced in 2020 alongside the Play-In option, is part of this endeavor to keep the competition fierce across the season. All tournament games are registered as regular season games. However, the scheduling method has been modified slightly to accommodate the 81st and 82nd games, assuring an exciting and challenging basketball experience.

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