(Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
This year, the NBA will hold its first-ever in-season tournament, and plenty of people are skeptical it will be something worth implementing.
Skeptics say no one, from players to fans, will care much about winning a seemingly meaningless tournament and that it is merely a gimmick aimed at increasing interest early in the season when the NFL usually dominates ratings.
But others are intrigued and feel it is something that could gain credibility as the years go on and everyone gets used to it.
NBA analyst Zach Lowe, per ClutchPoints, boldly predicted that the Minnesota Timberwolves will win the first-ever NBA in-season tournament.
“The Minnesota Timberwolves are winning the inaugural in-season tournament.”
Agree with Zach Lowe’s BOLD prediction? pic.twitter.com/4wVdW88j8W
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 26, 2023
All 30 teams have been divided up into groups of five, and the tournament will start with each team playing one game apiece against each of the other four teams in its group.
Eight teams will then advance to the “knockout” phase, which consists of single games for the quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final game.
The winner of the final game will then receive what is being called the “NBA Cup.”
The Timberwolves are an intriguing team on the rise that boasts Anthony Edwards, a player who may be on the verge of true superstardom, and a number of very good complementary players.
Last season, Edwards averaged 24.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.4 assists, and he is coming off a very strong showing for Team USA in the FIBA World Cup.
Since the in-season tournament will consist of single games rather than best-of-sevens, there should be an ample number of upsets and surprises, and it will be up to players and coaches to take the tournament seriously in the years to come.
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