NBA Cup 2024 discussion & gamethread: It's On. We'll Watch.

[InstaFace]

OK, let's give it its own thread.

Here's a nice hype video they just put out. Jrue seems well-cast as the guy who climbs the outside of the skyscraper and cuts the glass. Nerves of steel, just executes the task in front of him. Steph had some fun with the video too.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ul8bUhj58XI


...although I'll say, I did prefer the LL Cool J "mama said knock you out" motif from last year. But you can't go wrong with an Ocean's Eleven spoof.

Anyway, to the basketball. Importing from the gamethread, our group-stage matchdays for this here Cup are the next 7 tuesdays and fridays:

Date (# of matches)
- Tuesday Nov 12th (8)
- Friday Nov 15th (12)
- Tuesday Nov 19th (6)
- Friday Nov 22nd (8)
- Tuesday Nov 26th (5)
- Friday Nov 29th (10)
- Tuesday Dec 3rd (11)

QFs to follow on Dec 10-11, Semis Dec 14th, Finals Dec 17th. More format details and group standings will be available on the wiki page.

Celtics' group-stage opponents are Cleveland and the Sad Sacks (Chicago, Atlanta, Washington). BOS matches are vs ATL 11/12, vs CLE 11/19 (the big one!), @ WAS 11/22, and @ CHI 11/29. The latter being a great opportunity to reminisce about beating the stuffing out of Chicago by 33 last year in order to get the East wild-card, including Joe going Full Psycho with hack-a-Drummond and spamming our most-effective plays over and over again, playoff-style.

Tuesday's opening-night festivities lineup includes (all times ET):

7:00pm: Atlanta @ Boston
7:00pm: Charlotte @ Orlando
7:00pm: Miami @ Detroit
7:30pm: New York @ Philadelphia
8:00pm: Toronto @ Milwaukee
9:00pm: Phoenix @ Utah
10:00pm: Minnesota @ Portland
10:00pm: Dallas @ Golden State

 

[joe dokes]

Yes, I will watch. While also continuing to think its all kinda stupid. If the Lakers win the Cup, does Bronny get a ring?

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Yes, I will watch. While also continuing to think its all kinda stupid. If the Lakers win the Cup, does Bronny get a ring?

I’ll go with Yes 100% as he will surely be with the team in Vegas to experience that environment should they advance that far.

 

[tims4wins]

In a perverse way I'm almost rooting for the Lakers. "Back to back NBA cup champs" would be somewhat akin to the Jets "back to back AFCCG appearances" claim to fame.

 

[benhogan]

More emphasis on point difference in the early games?

 

[benhogan]

In a perverse way I'm almost rooting for the Lakers. "Back to back NBA cup champs" would be somewhat akin to the Jets "back to back AFCCG appearances" claim to fame.

banners fly forever

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78-QIxfOzUw

 

[Lazy vs Crazy]

I kinda want the Celtics to not win just so they don't get forced to hang that banner.

 

[Ale Xander]

This thing is still a thing?

 

[tims4wins]

banners fly forever

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78-QIxfOzUw

No doubt

 

[the moops]

Bunch of haters in here. This thing was cool last year for teams and players seemed to care about middle of the year games. I am all for better basketball, and this was better basketball in what is typically a slog

 

[HomeRunBaker]

This thing is still a thing?

The NBA signed a multi-year deal with Emirates that they expect to result in $500m in revenue each year so yes it is continuing to be a thing. I do think that overseas fans will embrace this Cup more than American fans as they are accustomed to in-season soccer events such as this even if the format is unique.

 

[joe dokes]

I kinda want the Celtics to not win just so they don't get forced to hang that banner.

Either they are motivated to give a playoff style effort for a few games now and win, which is not a bad thing. Or they dont win and are motivated to kick ass later, which is also not a bad thing.

 

[lovegtm]

Bunch of haters in here. This thing was cool last year for teams and players seemed to care about middle of the year games. I am all for better basketball, and this was better basketball in what is typically a slog

"Aside from the amazing intense November basketball, what has the In-Season Tournament ever done for us?"

 

[InstaFace]

This thing is still a thing?

Nobody's making you watch. Same goes for all sporting events. If you can't appreciate how fun this is, go find something that tickles your fancy better.

Take your haterade somewhere else, we're all stocked up here.

 

[tims4wins]

"Aside from the amazing intense November basketball, what has the In-Season Tournament ever done for us?"

I will say this - it was a ton of fun last year. But, it was also completely new. Will it be as fun going forward? I think that's a bit of an open question. I'm optimistic but wouldn't be totally surprised if this loses its appeal.

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

Be forewarned: The courts will be different and some designs may not work for *you*.

 

[Jim Ed Rice in HOF]

Nobody's making you watch. Same goes for all sporting events. If you can't appreciate how fun this is, go find something that tickles your fancy better.

Take your haterade somewhere else, we're all stocked up here.

He sure as shit isn't paying $25 for a commemorative NBA cup championship ticket!

 

[lovegtm]

I will say this - it was a ton of fun last year. But, it was also completely new. Will it be as fun going forward? I think that's a bit of an open question. I'm optimistic but wouldn't be totally surprised if this loses its appeal.

I think players like arbitrary reasons to get up for games as the season drags on, and they play intensely in general for those. Usually they do it for a big national game, but they seemed to respond pretty well to a tournament being the reason.

 

[TripleOT]

I hope Boston wins, and refused to put up a banner.

 

[tims4wins]

I think players like arbitrary reasons to get up for games as the season drags on, and they play intensely in general for those. Usually they do it for a big national game, but they seemed to respond pretty well to a tournament being the reason.

Which is why I am currently optimistic. Hopefully it sticks.

 

[PC Drunken Friar]

Be forewarned: The courts will be different and some designs may not work for *you*.

 

[the moops]

I love all the courts even if I don't like them all

 

[Ale Xander]

I will say this - it was a ton of fun last year. But, it was also completely new. Will it be as fun going forward? I think that's a bit of an open question. I'm optimistic but wouldn't be totally surprised if this loses its appeal.

Celtics didn’t win (I know, I know) so wasn’t fun

 

[Ale Xander]

This part I like

It’s the fake Fakers banner that I don’t and pretending this tournament is somehow special and worth something

 

[Ale Xander]

I hope Boston wins, and refused to put up a banner.

Same

 

[Ale Xander]

Nobody's making you watch. Same goes for all sporting events. If you can't appreciate how fun this is, go find something that tickles your fancy better.

Take your haterade somewhere else, we're all stocked up here.

Same goes for you reading/reply to, my posts

It’s ok to criticize and not like something

And I don’t even live in NH

 

[snowmanny]

Take your haterade somewhere else, we're all stocked up here.

Are the Hawks stoked for this?

Is there an MVP for this? Can you bet on the MVP for this? Because Pritchard winning it on the strength of a slew of garbage time threes to run up some point differentials sounds possible.

 

[TripleOT]

When I first heard of this tournament last year, I thought it was stupid, but I didn’t realize how ultra competitive NBA players can be when there’s even a few dollars on the line. The big money superstars don’t need it, but they do like the idea of their lower paid teammates getting broken off.

Teams are going at the Celtics this year like it’s their Super Bowl, so we’re going to see intense basketball season. The rest of the league cannot say that. so this tournaments certainly is good for fans who want to see regular season intensity notched up a bit.

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

I like the Bruins Black and gold design

 

[InstaFace]

Same goes for you reading/reply to, my posts

It’s ok to criticize and not like something

And I don’t even live in NH

Yeah but you're in a thread devoted to the event, posting about the event, with other people posting about the event and watching or planning to watch / follow. Are you going to post every matchday about how you still don't care for it? A few times a night, perhaps - "guys I'm still not watching!". I assume you're posting because you think the rest of us all want to read what's running through your head on this subject, and not out of compulsion, so maybe your time would be better spent in another thread?

 

[InstaFace]

Are the Hawks stoked for this?

The ones healthy enough to play will be, I'd wager. The problem (for them) is, that's a minority of their roster at the moment.

Is there an MVP for this? Can you bet on the MVP for this? Because Pritchard winning it on the strength of a slew of garbage time threes to run up some point differentials sounds possible.

I'd imagine prop bets will become a thing as we get into the knockout rounds. Current odds I can find:

Champion:
BOS +425
NYK +1000
CLE +1000
MIN +1200
DEN +1200

FanDuel has bets on group winners, players-to-score-X, odds of reaching various rounds, and, yes, MVP. Current favorite: Jayson Tatum, +650, with JB 7th at +1600

 

[TomRicardo]

"Aside from the amazing intense November basketball, what has the In-Season Tournament ever done for us?"

I can't get hating on the tournament. It was great last season. It is even better this season because:

You have three to four teams in the West were at least one of them are going to completely fall apart due to age: Phoenix, GS, Lakers, Nuggets
You have two teams in the East who people way over ranked and who are desperate to step into relevance: Bucks and 76ers

You have the top two teams in the East on a marquee game on a Friday.

Teams are going to roll out of this tourney different.

 

[lovegtm]

I can't get hating on the tournament. It was great last season. It is even better this season because:

You have three to four teams in the West were at least one of them are going to completely fall apart due to age: Phoenix, GS, Lakers, Nuggets
You have two teams in the East who people way over ranked and who are desperate to step into relevance: Bucks and 76ers

You have the top two teams in the East on a marquee game on a Friday.

Teams are going to roll out of this tourney different.

That Cavs-Celtics grouping worked out well; excited for that one.

 

[LA_33]

I addition to the increased intensity over random regular season play, introducing a margin of victory element for a small number of NBA game, motivating and excusing teams with the lead to run up the score late, is kind of fascinating.

That game where Boston needed to win by close to 30 to get the wildcard last year, and Joe and the starters stayed in the game to push for the necessary margin of victory, was a fun change from the usual rhythm of a game with a 15+ lead in the 4th, where everyone coasts through garbage time.

I'd think that all the teams will be a little more cognizant of the importance of scoring margin this time around, so they'll play harder to the buzzer even in blowouts starting in game 1 tonight.

 

[Over Guapo Grande]

It’s the fake Fakers banner that I don’t and pretending this tournament is somehow special and worth something

It's worth a decent chunk of change to people #13-16 on the bench if the team wins...

• Win championship: $500,000 per player
• Reach championship game: $200,000 per player
• Reach semifinal game: $100,000 per player
• Reach quarterfinal game: $50,000 per player

 

[Saints Rest]

Tournament format is group stage (4 games) where top 2 from each group plus 2 wild cards advance to knockout rounds?

 

[bankshot1]

I kinda want the Celtics to not win just so they don't get forced to hang that banner.

We do not hang .260 banners.

 

[tims4wins]

I'd think that all the teams will be a little more cognizant of the importance of scoring margin this time around, so they'll play harder to the buzzer even in blowouts starting in game 1 tonight.

So Celts by 60 tonight??

 

[Ale Xander]

It's worth a decent chunk of change to people #13-16 on the bench if the team wins...

• Win championship: $500,000 per player
• Reach championship game: $200,000 per player
• Reach semifinal game: $100,000 per player
• Reach quarterfinal game: $50,000 per player

Right but those players won’t be playing in the games

 

[Over Guapo Grande]

I am not involved in sales, but I get a nice end of year bonus when the company does well. Should I not appreciate that?

 

[TomRicardo]

Right but those players won’t be playing in the games

So the stars won't give a shit? Look you hate fun, congrats! Have fun drinking Coors Banquet and raw dogging your next flight to Cleveland.

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

I am not involved in sales, but I get a nice end of year bonus when the company does well. Should I not appreciate that?

As will your family.

 

[Ale Xander]

So the stars won't give a shit? Look you hate fun, congrats! Have fun drinking Coors Banquet and raw dogging your next flight to Cleveland.

Gross

 

[Over Guapo Grande]

As will your family.

Eff that. I am going to park across three spaces and yell at 2 Fedex drivers going the same direction -- now that is entertainment!

 

[InstaFace]

Tournament format is group stage (4 games) where top 2 from each group plus 2 wild cards advance to knockout rounds?

Top team only from each group; each conference (3 groups per) then has 1 wildcard, the best of the 3 runner-up teams. Since there's no head-to-head between groups, the tiebreaker there is point differential. So that's 8 total teams making the knockouts.

 

[Pablo's TB Lover]

Decent courts, but kind of wish besides the mandated trophy the teams went beyond solid colors with background designs that were a little off the board. These have variations but kind of feel the "same". Go with either a fighting Irish or Minuteman-type design on the Cs court, along with "most professional sports championships since 2001." (If it's true, I'm assuming it is.) In Philly they could go antagonistic towards Boston and have the Liberty Bell with a cursive "Birthplace of Independence" or something blowhard-y like that. Basically talk your trash or make a tourism video/travelogue on the court. Denver should make a modern version of the 1980s skyline court with the mountains in the background.

 

[joe dokes]

I am not involved in sales, but I get a nice end of year bonus when the company does well. Should I not appreciate that?

If you really wanted the company to do well, you'd refuse the bonus and let that money get plowed back into something useful for *everyone*, like better cleaning supplies for the breakroom and phone holders for the back of the toilet stall doors.

 

[LA_33]

Decent courts, but kind of wish besides the mandated trophy the teams went beyond solid colors with background designs that were a little off the board. These have variations but kind of feel the "same". Go with either a fighting Irish or Minuteman-type design on the Cs court, along with "most professional sports championships since 2001." (If it's true, I'm assuming it is.) In Philly they could go antagonistic towards Boston and have the Liberty Bell with a cursive "Birthplace of Independence" or something blowhard-y like that. Basically talk your trash or make a tourism video/travelogue on the court. Denver should make a modern version of the 1980s skyline court with the mountains in the background.

I assume that the league is invested in having a cohesive visual look for the tournament courts, so that its instantly obvious that when a game is played on these special floors that it's part of the tournament. They have a little local variation in the underlying shading graphics, but the concentric circles and the center court trophy logos all looking the same makes sense to me in the context of the league wanting the branding to be "This is the NBA tournament" rather than individual branding for each team (like the normal courts are, to be fair...)

 

[tims4wins]

I assume that the league is invested in having a cohesive visual look for the tournament courts, so that its instantly obvious that when a game is played on these special floors that it's part of the tournament. They have a little local variation in the underlying shading graphics, but the concentric circles and the center court trophy logos all looking the same makes sense to me in the context of the league wanting the branding to be "This is the NBA tournament" rather than individual branding for each team (like the normal courts are, to be fair...)

Not unlike when the NCAA started doing the same for the NCAA tournament... 15 years ago? 20? 10? I have no idea. All of the courts used to be unique.

 

[InstaFace]

Decent courts, but kind of wish besides the mandated trophy the teams went beyond solid colors with background designs that were a little off the board. These have variations but kind of feel the "same". Go with either a fighting Irish or Minuteman-type design on the Cs court, along with "most professional sports championships since 2001." (If it's true, I'm assuming it is.) In Philly they could go antagonistic towards Boston and have the Liberty Bell with a cursive "Birthplace of Independence" or something blowhard-y like that. Basically talk your trash or make a tourism video/travelogue on the court. Denver should make a modern version of the 1980s skyline court with the mountains in the background.

So only 2 actual red courts this year (Chicago and Houston), plus a light pink (Washington) and a dark purple (Cleveland). Maybe that will minimize the color complaints?

I do like the bold colors and the intent to visually offset these games by the court design. To achieve that, they need to err on the side of being more dramatic rather than understated, and therefore so what if it's too much for a few people.

Maybe PTBL is right and they should be allowed to be more distinct from each other, as long as they're also distinct from the usual NBA court appearance.