The NBA started an In-Season Tournament last season and for the most part, it was actually pretty fun. Teams seemed to take it seriously enough, and the Kings made it to the first round of the knockout stage where they faced the New Orleans Pelicans, aka our worst nightmare. Each season the groups are drawn again and this year the Kings will be in Group A with the Minnesota Timberwolves, L.A. Clippers, Houston Rockets and Portland Trail Blazers. The In-Season Tournament has been rebranded as the “Emirates NBA Cup” and “Cup Nights” will take place every Tuesday and Friday from Nov. 12th – Dec. 3rd. Sacramento’s first Cup game will be against the Timberwolves at home on Nov. 15th. They will then play in LA against the Clippers on Nov. 22nd, in Portland on Nov. 29th, and home against Houston on Dec. 3rd.
Last season’s Tournament games featured some wild finishes by the Kings, including Malik Monk’s incredible off-balance game-winner in a come from behind victory against the Golden State Warriors to give the Kings a 4-0 record in the group and advance to the knockout stages.
Each team will once again have a unique court as well, although thankfully they are removing the garish colored stripes down the middle. Sacramento’s court has been leaked thanks to NBA 2K and it doesn’t look too bad:
BREAKING‼️ NBA Cup courts have been leaked via NBA2K. Here’s a look at this year’s design for the Kings. Checkerboard sidelines = Statement Edition ??
?credit to Christian Soleño on PlayStation Philippines on FB pic.twitter.com/wL51BMFUe5
— Kings Uni Tracker (@SacKings_Unis) September 19, 2024
Sacramento’s group is fairly tough, but then again so is every group in the West. The Timberwolves were one of the best teams in the league last season, and the Kings will have to face them three times before December. Houston was a team that gave the Kings fits last year, winning all three of their matchups against Sacramento. The Clippers lost Paul George but still feature Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, and the Trail Blazers are the easiest on paper but also managed to beat the Kings last season. To advance to the knockout stage the Kings would need to go 3-1 at a minimum, and probably 4-0 like they did last season.
Now, winning the In-Season Tournament would be fun, but it’s not necessarily a harbinger of things to come. Last season’s In-Season Tournament featured the L.A. Lakers against the Indiana Pacers, a far cry from what actually occurred in the playoffs. The Lakers were eliminated by the Denver Nuggets in the first round, and the Pacers did make it to the Eastern Conference Finals but were swept by the eventual champion Boston Celtics. Much like last season, I’ll be rooting for the Kings to make it to the final stages of the tournament, and it would be really fun to see the Kings win something on a big stage, but the team’s main goal has to be towards getting to the playoffs and winning there. But to get there you need to win as much as possible, so might as well go out and win this tournament if you can too.
I think they had a pretty favorable draw but YMMV.
Me too!
I have not followed it much but it looks like they group the teams based on how they stack up in their division to have a competitive tournament. Just like a kids soccer tournament. Top level teams don’t get grouped with rec teams.
Other than the graphics on the court it is still conference play. Kings will hopefully play great all year regardless of what is painted on the floor. At least the Kings did not get grouped with the Suns. Those guys did a heck of a job putting together a roster better than last year. So many people thought they were done for a decade after they went all in. Just goes to show that a team can always change. All for the Kings winning this in season tournament even if it is truly just more t shirts for the fans during the tournament.
It’s pretty shitty that the named the in-season cup the “Emirates Cup.” Anything to make a buck in a billion dollar industry. Why not name it after a legendary player or figure in the NBA?
Jordan, Kobe Magic and Bill Russel have awards named after them now. Bird, Shaq come to mind as next in line. What about Stern?
Why not the “Divac Cup” to gain some international exposure?
He has name recognition world wide and with Luka and Jokic aiding in the international marketing ability as players this could be of value to the NBA. I really do think that the in season tournament and a “cup” is simply mimicking international soccer. That is the most wealthy and popular global sport. There are a number of meaningless cups and tournaments that have regional flair and bring some attention during the normal season. Next step is paying the players for winning the in season tournaments. That is how these tournaments create urgency and a competitive environment for the soccer players.
Maybe the the NBA does pay the players for this “Emirates Cup”?
I’d rather call it the Pete D’Allesdandro cup. He may have fired Malone, but he didn’t fire Dave Joerger to hire Luke Walton, and there was something else, what was it…?
Ah, yes. Deciding he was the smartest GM in the league, and proving it by passing on Luke Doncic.
He still believes that shit.
Vlade Divac is probably the worst GM ever. Hiring based on nostalgia over skill is not the best way to go. Christie is surviving by being in the background instead of the forefront. Good coach but learning while being led is easier than learning while leading. Vlade is an international basketball superstar without a doubt. He has definitely earned that. In that role he has great value to any NBA team and the NBA as a whole. The NBA should use his persona and unique relationship with a part of the world that loves basketball.
How about Naismith?
You shouldn’t name awards after active players.
And even though I like him, he’s not even the best player on that Pacers team.
You’re kidding right Rik? James Naismith founded basketball.
Yes I was Jack.
Whew!
Too Canadian (I kid)
(and not to sour the clever comment by RikSmits too much: Nesmith is from Charleston, SC)
The Kobe Kup
The Isaiah Thomas Trophy
Mikan Medal
The Mark Tatum Tournament (he’s the Vice Commissioner, not the Commissioner of Vice, and the nice gentleman that handles the NBA Draft 2nd round, which seems apropos of this in season sidebar).
From my standpoint – I’d still prefer they eliminate the In Season/Emirates Cup Tournament altogether. It’s another gimmick that just doesn’t hold it’s flavor with me.
The NBA is all about money in case you weren’t aware.
If it means more wins to the regular season, then great. The title of “In-Season Tournament Champion” means little to me as a fan.
I went to a couple of the in season games at Golden One Center and Chase Center. It meant that as a fan I was given some towels and some t-shirts that are too small.
To answer the question:
Yes, I think they can. Their group makes it fairly reasonable to think that hey will be the team to advance from the group.
The Kings are more than capable to win every game they play whether favored or not. So yeah, it’s possible they win all these “special games” and lose others that aren’t “special”. Do I care if they lose all of the “special” games and win 60% of their other “aren’t special” games? No, absolutely not. Sorry NBA.
30Q: Can the Kings win the In-Season Tournament?Who cares. The nba needs to get rid of this gimmick.
This gimmick is likely the beginning of many other gimmicks. It generates money. The opportunity for revenue is something they will not ignore. This is an easy one to get done. No extra games. No weird timing of games. Zero ramifications for the season. Emirates hands them money and they sell more jerseys. The “play in” gimmick has allowed the Kings to sniff the playoffs again. Keep the gimmicks coming!
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