The debut of the NBA In-Season Tournament has been an intriguing addition to the basketball calendar. For the past few weeks, fans have switched on their screens on Tuesdays and Fridays to experience games that matter, not just for the regular season standings, but beyond.
The tournament isn't going to be with us for much longer this season: it's set to reach its conclusion in Las Vegas next month. Then, it'll be another year before the tournament - and probably its funky court designs - come back into our lives.
While the specifics of the tournament's future are unclear, it was billed as an "annual" competition when it was unveiled for this season. Presumably, it will be another negotiating asset as the media rights deals for the league expire.
What are some changes we'd like to see to future editions of the NBA In-Season Tournament?
There's still some data needed before concrete conclusions can be made about the In-Season Tournament. As group play wraps, the NBA still needs to land the plane. The quarterfinals will take place on Dec. 4 and 5, while the semifinals and finals will take place days later at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Still, enough has transpired in the recent weeks to notice a few changes that might benefit future versions of the tournament, particularly from the fan perspective. If the NBA intends to follow the European soccer model and keep its alternate competition going, some improvements should be made.
What changes would you like to see? Feel free to share in the comments!
Here are three changes we're pitching.