Adam Silver has been pushing this like a prostate exam since he took over the league. I don't see anyway Kawhi and Embiid, for example, have any interest in taking part. There are already a fair amount of players who don't have much interest in the regular season, saving their bodies for the regular season.
On the other hand, Summer League has really exploded in both quality and interest over the years. They should really take the cue from the Larry Bird and Magic Johnson awards and create a Nate Robinson Award. Little Nate (oh that nickname, how I hate) made the summer league what it is today.
An in season tournament that I would watch would be in January and only open to guys on rookie contracts and on their G League affiliates. I don't see a million dollar purse really motivating the half of the league already making 300k a game, whether they play or not. Give the winning team the 15th pick, or whatever it is the one immediately after the lottery.
Fans will be excited to watch a lot of the younger guys who don't make the regular rotation, players would be motivated for a purse that substantially improves their incomes, and teams would be motivated for the pick. Hold the games in Vegas, LA or some other warm weather locale and some vets would have a reason to attend. The oft- injured crowd would be excited for a two week break. I think a lot of the G League guys would be motivated to play hard with more exposure. Especially the Kevin Knoxes and Cam Red dishes of the league would like to have a chance at being the man.
You will still get guys like Zion assured of getting a huge payday dropping out, but I think a million bucks is still something Scottie Barnes and LaMelo would be interested in.
I would prefer they focus on a mini tournament after the regular season for those teams that didn't make the lottery, where the prize is a high pick in the draft (maybe 4th or 5th or something)- would be fairer for teams that didn't tank but didn't make the playoffs, plus give some excitement for fans who's teams are not good- I would have loved something like that the past few seasons- I hate how our bball ends so soon in the year. Would be much more exciting/ higher stakes than the type of tournament they're proposing.
smackeddog wrote:I would prefer they focus on a mini tournament after the regular season for those teams that didn't make the lottery, where the prize is a high pick in the draft (maybe 4th or 5th or something)- would be fairer for teams that didn't tank but didn't make the playoffs, plus give some excitement for fans who's teams are not good- I would have loved something like that the past few seasons- I hate how our bball ends so soon in the year. Would be much more exciting/ higher stakes than the type of tournament they're proposing.
I'd like that concept, except I'd make the the bottom teams in the tournament get demoted to the G-League and let the too G-League teams take their place 
I understood the play-in concept but the mid season tournament one is lost on me.
OP suggestion is a good one but I doubt that works.
But I’m not watching Summer league. nice to see the few rooks play but 75% of these guys are either going to Gleague and many going overseas into oblivion.
Pulling 1-3 yoots down what would be a Gleague tournament is kinda not exciting but to the most intense fan. To stop NBA games and drum up interest? I don’t feel it.
players playing so franchise can get an extra pick not sure they are motivated. If these count as regular season games the top players will be paid and thus they Will play. The extra money can go to charity. Question is not if players are motivated if its part of their contract and regular season stats they don’t need to be. That it motivates the teams/players to get there act to get there act together early is intriguing.
NCAA does sort of early conf matchups and the holiday tournaments are fun.
I’ll keep an open mind to the end product. Why box an opinion in when the details are not clear?
I kinda like the in-season tournament. You can use it as a guarantee for a spot in the playoffs. Maybe the top 2 teams gets a guarantee.
More than likely a team winning or finishing strong will in fact be a playoff team. Incentives could include a tiebraker priority for seeding of some sorts. Have to be careful as teams can relax or manage games for star players as there could be lack of incentive. This screws the fans for those last season games.
Since I doubt tournament would add to 82 game season your not getting players complacent to not play hard. I forget but wasn't there a funky scoring system thing that teams won or lost based on points scored rather than a clock.
Novel approach, with that, or add a 4 pt line for last two minutes of game to create fan interest. This gives some teams a chance outside the normal season. Has to be a TV event too.
Go small ball and have screens set at half court. That opens up a lot of things on the court for a team to come back. Im spitballing.
I think the internal tournament is a stepping stone to international play and broadening the NBAs market. The idea of using G-League as the test for that style of play makes a lot of sense to me though. If the tournament is just to add some different intrigue to the game, I mean, I would make it more arcade style (like the all star game) and let 8 top players draft their own 10 man squads for a 3-day single elimination tournament. I'd rather watch that than the all star game.
Some interesting ideas. As the OP pointed out, some vets arent going to be thrilled with the idea.
If a mid-season tournament was going to happen, Id want to see it have as little effect on the regular season/playoffs as possible.
Id rather see an expansion of All-Star weekend to include a separate tournament. Maybe skills related, for an extra second round pick for the winning team.
I like the play-in tournament. At the same time I dont want to see the league get too gimmicky.
EwingsGlass wrote:I think the internal tournament is a stepping stone to international play and broadening the NBAs market. The idea of using G-League as the test for that style of play makes a lot of sense to me though. If the tournament is just to add some different intrigue to the game, I mean, I would make it more arcade style (like the all star game) and let 8 top players draft their own 10 man squads for a 3-day single elimination tournament. I'd rather watch that than the all star game.
I like this idea a lot. I think the best basketball game ever was right before Coviid with the Elohim ending. Just the 4th quarter when you had the best players in the league going all out. I don't know if they can ever capture that lightning in a bottle again.
I like summer league to. How about the winner of SL gets to start 2-0 and only has to play 80 games. that would make is uber competive and even mor exciting
BRIGGS wrote:I like summer league to. How about the winner of SL gets to start 2-0 and only has to play 80 games. that would make is uber competive and even mor exciting
1. Two less home dates? $$$$? I doubt that flies.
2. How many players actually are on the roster come the fall?
3. Two less dates at home, two less TV revenue games, the sponsors in the home arenas.
SL is for rooks to get acclimated, and younger players to work on next level skills and finish the summer with more work to refine it. Its a nonsensical hype which is fine, and for fans to enjoy what it is. To make it more than that is why so many funny tweets are “I will not get excited about SL”…..
Curious to see what the final product will look like. I guess its not for this coming season? So we’ll get lots of heads up.
