Mavs’ Mark Cuban On In Season Tourney, “Until You Give A Larry O’Brien, The Prize Is The Prize”
The NBA reportedly submitted a plan for the in-season tournament, which could be implemented as early as the 2023-24 season.
According to Shams Charania of the Athletics and Stadium, cup games will be played throughout November, with the top eight teams advancing to the final by single elimination. All games will be counted into the calendar of 82 games of the regular season.
Charania added that talks between the NBA and the National League of Basketball Players “are still being finalized” the tournament in season, as well as potential prizes and awards for teams accessing the single-elimination portion.
Details on a potential tournament in season come that the league’s collective agreement will expire soon. Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported in June that the NBA and NBPA held a preliminary meeting about the CBA in Boston, with “serious talks” likely to occur in the coming months.
The current agreement takes place throughout the 2023-2024 season, but NBA and NBPA have the right to opt-out in December. Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne reported on ESPN’s NBA Today in March that neither the league nor the players were concerned about a possible lock-out or work stoppage (starts at:20).
Dallas Mavericks Governor Mark Cuban that he’s not a fan.
“In terms of the in-season tournament, I’m not a fan. I can see the Mavs not participating or resting our best players. Until they give me one of those [The Larry O’Brien Trophy], the prize is the prize.”
Bulls guard DeMar DeRozan echoed Cuban by sharing that he’s not a fan.
“I’m old School, I’m not A fan of It. The game is what it is for a reason,” said DeRozan.
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