Yahoo Sports NBA writer Vince Goodwill is joined by Northwestern University Director of Sports Journalism J.A. Adande on the “Good Word With Goodwill” podcast to discuss their thoughts on the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament, and debate if it has been successful in bringing some excitement to the start of the NBA regular season.
Hear the full conversation on “Good Word with Goodwill” – part of the “Ball Don’t Lie” podcast – and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.
Video Transcript
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VINCENT GOODWILL: I was a huge critic of this in-season tournament. I thought it was hokey. I thought it messed with the integrity of the NBA season, but it looks like, J.A., this in-season tournament thing has been a success, at least, on one level.
This is sort of giving us a window into what teams could be really good beyond the teams we already, beyond the Boston’s, and Denver’s, and Milwaukee’s. We’re being introduced to Minnesota, and we’re being introduced to the Indiana Pacers. And we’re being introduced to all these different teams that maybe we wouldn’t otherwise have a reason to pay attention to. Now, we’re getting a chance to pay attention to them a little bit early. Is that how you see it, or is it still let’s see how this all plays out in Vegas next week?
J.A. ADANDE: I’m finding that it’s just elevating the intensity of the games, and it’s adding to the intrigue. It’s funny. I was thinking about this over the weekend, how I’m into the tournament, even though I really don’t care who wins the tournament, you know? I’ve got no rooting interest, and to me, there’s no particular compelling storyline.
Like as a journalist doing this for 30 years, like I’m kind of devoid of fandom, but there have been teams that I’ve preferred to see win. And it’s funny. One of the teams that I wanted to see win was– I thought it was really important that a 27 team Warriors team finish the job after winning 73 games, because–
VINCENT GOODWILL: You mean 2016 Warriors.
J.A. ADANDE: 2016, team. Sorry, the 2016 team. They went all in every night, because they were pursuing history. And, at the point where they had players playing nights that they probably should have been resting for injuries, they were all in, and now, we never talk about that team. Why? Because they gave up the 3-1 lead, and they’ve been subjected to endless memes and jokes ever since, right?
And I’ve really felt like that was the end of teams caring and trying to do anything special during the regular season. So I wanted to see that team win, specifically so that the regular season would matter in years going forward, and it hasn’t mattered since. And, now, it matters for occasional nights, those Tuesday and Friday nights during November. It’s gotten more interesting, and I am more interested, because the players are more interested, right?
Their interest has made me want to tune in and watch these games. I don’t think we’re going to be talking years from them about who wins this tournament, but it has made for more compelling, more intense regular season games. Because the players seem to care.
VINCENT GOODWILL: Well, you see that, A, $500,000 is really important to guys, and B, that Adam Silver was right, at least, in this form when he said you give players a carrot. There’s an added incentive for you to win. There’s something for you as a team to win. Teams are going to go for it, and I feel like they are.