NBA's 'dedication to relentless innovation' amidst Covid turmoil led to the inception of in-season tournament

New Delhi, Dec 13 (NationPress) The National Basketball Association (NBA) is recognized as a league that is always evolving. From the introduction of the three-point line in the 1979-80 season to the incorporation of the NBA Cup in 2023, the league is committed to growth and adaptability in the face of challenges.

Sports aficionados worldwide have traditionally resisted changes to their beloved games, exemplified by football fans protesting against the proposed European Super League in 2021.

As the second edition of the NBA Cup approaches its conclusion, the NBA's executive vice president for basketball strategy and analytics, Evan Wasch, shared insights on how the league balances innovation while maintaining the core essence of the game.

"That is the question and a real tension many sports leagues have faced. The NBA has always prided themselves on being an innovative league. Going back to 1979 when the three-point shot was introduced, it was seen as quite radical and controversial at the time, yet today it’s hard to envision the game without it," Wasch stated during a virtual conference with IANS.

"We have a history of innovation; basketball as a sport is destined to evolve. Recent years have seen small incremental changes that have lent credibility to the idea of innovating competition formats," he elaborated.

The first instance of an in-season tournament emerged from the Covid Bubble when the 2019-20 season was disrupted by a virus-induced shutdown lasting from March 11 to July 30. Play resumed with 22 of the 30 teams participating in eight seeding games, followed by a Play-In Tournament for the Western Conference No. 8 seed and the traditional 16-team playoff bracket.

Wasch acknowledged that without the Covid bubble, the NBA Cup might not have been realized.

"For instance, coming out of the Covid bubble, we were compelled to think creatively about finishing the season and creating competition. We implemented a mini version of the play-in tournament out of necessity for fairness in that season's schedule. This led to a play-in tournament the following year, which was extremely well-received and opened minds to the idea that competition formats could be innovated for real benefits. If it wasn't for Covid and the bubble, there might not have been as much momentum for something like the NBA Cup, which demonstrated the possibilities," Wasch remarked.

"You must be prepared to experiment; not everything we attempt will succeed, and that’s acceptable. However, you have to pursue ideas that appear logical and come with compelling narratives and business plans. We genuinely believe in the value of experimentation and are committed to continual innovation, not just with the NBA Cup but in other areas too," he added.

The stage is set for the NBA Cup 2024 semifinals, where the Atlanta Hawks will go against the Milwaukee Bucks and the Oklahoma City Thunder will face the Houston Rockets at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.