Was just trying to see what this first-ever NBA In-Season Tournament is all about. I know that it’s designed to draw attention/eyeballs for an otherwise benign early stretch of the 82-game regular season.
…Thing is, it’s hard to hold my attention — although you do have it right away, undividedly (now a word — when the courts you’re playing this tournament on look like THIS:
The in-season tournament courts tonight 🔥
(via @chicagobulls, @Pacers, @nuggets, @Bucks, @okcthunder, @MiamiHEAT) pic.twitter.com/d5Lw2jr1gf
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) November 3, 2023
Watching shootaround for Cavs-Pacers for a few fleeting seconds knocked my brain into next week. The slow pan of the psuedo-Yellow Brick Road!? WHAT.
The NBA In-Season Tournament is HERE.
Pacers-Cavs tips off East Group A action NEXT on the NBA App 🏆
📱 https://t.co/1wqRX7Uwkw pic.twitter.com/xYJAylocAX
— NBA In-Season Tournament (@NBA) November 3, 2023
Then the actual games start when the camera is moving a lot faster to keep track of these world-class athletes. Hey Chicago Bulls, United Center, et al. — WTF is this?
Torrey Craig cashes the first In-Season Tournament triple in Chicago 🎯
🏆 NBA In-Season Tournament
🏀 East Group C action on NBA App
📱 https://t.co/1wqRX7Uwkw pic.twitter.com/A3JTGK4XnI— NBA In-Season Tournament (@NBA) November 4, 2023
I can sort of at least track what’s going on in Milwaukee with the more traditional hardwood in place and a green landing strip that’s still distracting but not terribly off-putting.
Dame from DEEP 🔥
🏆 NBA In-Season Tournament
🏀 East Group B action on ESPN pic.twitter.com/N5BFKqnDF9— NBA In-Season Tournament (@NBA) November 4, 2023
…That said, what the heck is going on in Oklahoma City!? What is this, Boise State football? How Steph Curry can can a pull-up 3-pointer amid this complete and utter chaos is beyond me.
The #NBAHooperVision crew reacts to Steph's tough In-Season Tournament triple in traffic 🗣️
Watch live on the NBA App: https://t.co/b57zSdz8rA pic.twitter.com/UMdyeZ58f4
— NBA In-Season Tournament (@NBA) November 4, 2023
Congratulations, NBA. You have my attention.
I will, in all likelihood, roll with your experiment in the 10 p.m. ET duel between the Dallas Mavericks and reigning champion Denver Nuggets.
Mile High views pic.twitter.com/XtTeJigckX
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) November 3, 2023
Think of the Denver residents who’ll attend this game, overdo it on some pregame edibles, only to arrive to the arena blissfully unaware of the mind-blowing spectacle they’re about to witness. It’d either be the best trip, or the most horrifying one of all-time, amirite?
Am I overreacting? Is this completely and utterly bonkers or is it just me? Good on you, NBA, getting some draw on a Friday night. Guarantee you bars across America and the globe are abuzz with chatter about these courts. That’s what you want!
Me looking at these NBA in-season tournament courts pic.twitter.com/pOIJq6Dx2S
— Jasmine B. (@jazzvangogh) November 3, 2023
NBA making us look at the in-season tournament courts pic.twitter.com/DqiQdrbdVp
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) November 4, 2023
OK just need to take a beat to ground myself. WHEW. My eyes legitimately sting. For more on the NBA In-Season Tournament and its sprawling format, go here.
