Sports Media Discusses Differing Opinions Surrounding the NBA Play-In Tournament By Ishaan Chadha
For the last 73 years, the NBA playoffs consisted of eight teams with the best records in each conference, all competing for a chance to host the Larry O'Bryant trophy in June. Thanks to COVID-19, that streak ended.
Due to the global pandemic, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver had to implement many unconventional changes, such as shortening the regular season and canceling games due to positive COVID-19 test results. To incentivize teams against tanking, the league's board of governors approved the play-in tournament's use to determine the No. 7 and No. 8 seeds in both conferences. This type of tournament was influential during the restart in the bubble, leading to historic performances from phenomenal talents, such as Portland Trailblazers guard, Damian Lillard in Game 5 against the Denver Nuggets.
Even though this type of tournament has received positive views from esteemed figures and corporate figureheads and franchises in the NBA, it was a topic of contention with players and coaches. Los Angeles Lakers star, LeBron James, was critical of the league's decision to implement the play-in tournament for the season.
"Whoever came up with that s--- needs to be fired," James said in a post-game interview after the Lakers loss to the Raptors on May 2.
At the conclusion of the season, the 7 and 8 seeds in both conferences were set and the tournament was ready to begin. The Boston Celtics finished as the No. 7 seed, the Washington Wizards were the No. 8 seed, while the Indiana Pacers were the No. 9 seed, and the Charlotte Hornets were the No. 10 seed. Out west, the Los Angeles Lakers are the No. 7 seed, the Golden State Warriors are the No. 8 seed, while the Memphis Grizzlies are the No. 9 seed and the San Antonio Spurs are the No. 10 seed.
The play-in tournament was nothing like we’ve ever experienced before. From May 18-21, the NBA had an NFL-type playoff atmosphere, since four teams were competing in a win-or-go-home scenario. Lebron James versus Stephen Curry lived up to the hype as James hit a 30-foot fadeaway three-point shot, with the shot clock winding down to seal the game. The fans also witnessed the young stars shine on the biggest stage through Ja Morant’s 35 point performance, sending Curry and company on vacation. By the end of the week, the ratings were up, and every NBA fan’s dream came to life, with a James versus Curry matchup on the biggest stage since just one of their NBA Finals battles in 2018. Even though some superstar players disagreed with the format, the play-in tournament proved more beneficial in some aspects, because it offered intensive excitement and competition not only for the fans, but for the players as well.
“I think at the end of the day, everybody is going to love it except for the teams at seven and eight,” former Trailblazers coach Terry Stotts, said. “I think it’s going to be very popular.”
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