On the night of Saturday to Sunday, the NBA conducted the first draw for its new “in-season tournament“, this NBA tournament, inspired by the European Football Cups. As with football or the draws for the Basketball World Cups, the NBA had invited stars: Victor Wembanyama in the lead, but also Steve Kerr, Trae Young, Anthony Edwards, Cade Cunningham and Paolo Banchero.
“This is a concept that has been discussed within the league for about fifteen years”, recalled Adam Silver. “We felt this was an ideal opportunity for a global league like the NBA, and it was a perfect fit for our sport. New traditions take time. But, in all sports, we are seeing new innovations, and the time has come for this NBA tournament.”
An NBA tournament with a seeding system
To create the groups below, the NBA had implemented a seeding system, based on last season’s ranking, with five different hats.
Group 1: Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Atlanta Hawks, Indiana Pacers, Detroit Pistons
Group 2: Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks, Miami Heat, Washington Wizards, Charlotte Hornets
Group 3: Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Toronto Raptors, Chicago Bulls, Orlando Magic
Group 4: Memphis Grizzlies, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers, Utah Jazz, Portland Trail Blazers
Group 5: Denver Nuggets, LA Clippers, New Orleans Pelicans, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets
Group 6: Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs.
Each team will therefore play four matches, and they will take place in November on fixed dates: November 3, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24 and 28. That is three Tuesdays and four Fridays. The NBA, like European football, wants to create appointments for spectators.
The final stages from December 4 to 9
Then, the first six of each pool, and the two best runners-up will participate in the quarter-finals on December 4 and 5. It will be on a match, and on the field of the highest ranked.
Finally, as planned, the Final Four will take place in Las Vegas on December 7 and 9 at the T-Mobile Arena. Only in the final will the best team in the East be able to face the best team in the West.
“Not everyone will join right away,” warned Joe Dumars, vice-president of the NBA. “So don’t expect everyone to buy in from day one. These things take time. I think as time goes by it can be built on and people can really buy into it.”
Answer in November and December next, with a nice bonus of 500,000 dollars for each player of the winning team.
