This year the NBA is trying out something completely new. It has implemented an in-season tournament, with matches taking place all throughout November and the championship in early December. 

Previously, the only bracket-style events in the NBA were the playoffs and the play-in tournament. The play-in tournament is where teams who just barely didn’t qualify for the playoffs compete for a spot in the playoffs, with one team from each conference making it in. 

Following a new format, this new in-season tournament is unrelated to both events. Every team has been placed into six groups, three from both conferences. These qualifying games have been built into the regular season schedule, with four matches for every team in November being qualifying games.

After the four matches, each team at the top of their group, plus two wildcard teams determined by the teams with the second-best record in their respective conferences, will advance into a similar playoff bracket style, but with only one knockout game. The final two teams will then compete on December 9th.

According to the NBA, the winning team will earn a new trophy and $500,000 for every coach and player on the team.

WJPS 12th grader, Oliver Gonzalez said, “I think it’s pointless because the only trophy the players want to win is the finals. They’re just regular season games with a marketing campaign.”

WJPS 12th grader, Jacob Geraghty said, “I think the tournament is good for the NBA. They’re gaining lots of publicity.”

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