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The NBA is discussing a $1 million per player bonus for the winners of the proposed 30-team, in-season tournament.

The NBA is considering adding the tournament to the schedule for the 21-22 season.

There has been skepticism privately and publicly on whether players and teams will be incentivized to take the tournament seriously.

Via Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

THERE it is!

I'm willing to bet the NBAPA says it's not enough.

No one wants this! Not players. Not fans. Give it up.

Ok, that's how you make a few of the players care. Now all you have to do is to get the fans to care.

I'm all for it. Id prefer the stars didn't participate but instead watch their teammates who don't get any or enough minutes in regular season games to showcase their talent.
It would be a great way to find a diamond in the rough. It would be a step above the G league since these players are already NBA ready. I would obviously only watch my team though.

I think Silver is getting desperate for new revenue streams with the China fallout.

He is trying to copy the Champions League model in European football/soccer. The issue is that tournament consists of the top teams across several professional leagues and maybe some 125-200 teams - and features match ups that otherwise would not be possible in competitive play (think Barcelona vs Liverpool or Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid). In the NBA, the same teams play each other all the time - and at worst you play the opposite conference 2 times EVERY year.

The Champions League trophy is actually more prestigious than winning your own league - as you are battling against the best of the best. The NBA in-season tournament comes nothing close to Champions League in any respect. I think the players will go for it only if it does generate more income - but I see that as very unlikely without fan support.

Also note that most pro European soccer leagues play their domestic league games during the weekend. And if they qualify for the Champions League or lower tier Europa League, those are played mid-week on TUE/WED/THU. In this case your team actually plays more games which is a direct impact to your revenue stream. Again another area where the NBA falls completely short.

xchange55 wrote:I think Silver is getting desperate for new revenue streams with the China fallout.

He is trying to copy the Champions League model in European football/soccer. The issue is that tournament consists of the top teams across several professional leagues and maybe some 125-200 teams - and features match ups that otherwise would not be possible in competitive play (think Barcelona vs Liverpool or Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid). In the NBA, the same teams play each other all the time - and at worst you play the opposite conference 2 times EVERY year.

The Champions League trophy is actually more prestigious than winning your own league - as you are battling against the best of the best. The NBA in-season tournament comes nothing close to Champions League in any respect. I think the players will go for it only if it does generate more income - but I see that as very unlikely without fan support.

Also note that most pro European soccer leagues play their domestic league games during the weekend. And if they qualify for the Champions League or lower tier Europa League, those are played mid-week on TUE/WED/THU. In this case your team actually plays more games which is a direct impact to your revenue stream. Again another area where the NBA falls completely short.

I think it’s meant to be more like the FA cup to be fair..

So dumb, who even wants a midseason tourney? Especially if they're playing just for money.. you think LeBron cares about $1mil? Before income tax at that.

How about a $1000 fan bonus for pretending to care!

If it can be gambled on then it will happen.

pjiggz wrote:I'm all for it. Id prefer the stars didn't participate but instead watch their teammates who don't get any or enough minutes in regular season games to showcase their talent.
It would be a great way to find a diamond in the rough. It would be a step above the G league since these players are already NBA ready. I would obviously only watch my team though.

That’s what summer league and training camp are for. If you’re good enough you’ll play.

Give teams a break in the luxury tax too. If the luxury tax is 120 mil per team, let the threshold for winner be 150 mil. Give out breaks for 2-8th place as well.

That would really shake things up.

Ok Silver, you sound dead set on this, so how about this;

Winning team gets to force a trade. Just like 2K. Salaries and everything have to match within the rules but the opposing GM has to take the deal.

Do you got the balls Silver? You want to make this stupid idea of yours interesting? Let’s go. Let’s make it interesting.

I’m def in the minority but I think this sounds cool. Nothing like a chance to win a bit of silverware. Everyone thinks is stupid now but if it begins it’ll probably he hotly contested in 10-15 years

Most of the fans, most of the superstar players, and Kawhi will be taking load management. I can't get up for this.

Why would anyone be against this? It breaks up the motononus 82 game and adds a little excitement in the middle.... thi makes it worthwhile for players.... now fans?... salary cap relief?

ktzdaman wrote:If it can be gambled on then it will happen.

Bingo

I think the idea behind a tournament is to generate interest from gambling...which it absolutely would

Badbobby wrote:I’m def in the minority but I think this sounds cool. Nothing like a chance to win a bit of silverware. Everyone thinks is stupid now but if it begins it’ll probably he hotly contested in 10-15 years

It will become what the Allstar game has become, a joke. No motivation leads to no interest

jayrehme wrote:Why would anyone be against this? It breaks up the motononus 82 game and adds a little excitement in the middle.... thi makes it worthwhile for players.... now fans?... salary cap relief?

I’m sure they said the same thing about the Allstar game back in the day.