NBA Fans Aren’t Impressed With Adam Silver’s Explanation of New In-Season Tournament

NBA fans don’t seem to be fans of the NBA’s new in-season tournament, and they made their feelings clear on Twitter on Sunday night. NBA commissioner Adam Silver made an appearance on NBA TV on Sunday night ahead of Game 2 of the NBA Finals between the Heat and Nuggets to discuss how the tournament will work with Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Grant Hill. 

Silver explained the tournament was inspired by soccer leagues that stage in-season competitions. The NBA’s tournament will consist of regular-season games that are designated as tournament games, so no extra games will be added to the 82-game schedule. The winner of the tournament will receive a trophy, albeit not the coveted Larry O’Brien trophy. 

Barkley seemed skeptical at first, and he asked Silver why players would want to compete in such a tournament. The commissioner explained that the incentive to play shouldn’t be an issue, because the games count in the regular-season standings. However, Silver added that there will be “significant prize money.” 

Many fans on Twitter, however, didn’t appear to care for the idea. The new tournament is set to be introduced during the 2023–24 season.