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NBA reveals long-awaited format, groups for new in-season tournament
(www.thescore.com)
East - Atlantic |
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Boston Celtics |
Brooklyn Nets |
New York Knicks |
Philadelphia Sixers |
Toronto Raptors |
East - Central |
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Chicago Bulls |
Cleveland Cavaliers |
Detroit Pistons |
Indiana Pacers |
Milwaukee Bucks |
East - Southeast |
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Atlanta Hawks |
Charlotte Hornets |
Miami Heat |
Orlando Magic |
Washington Wizards |
West - Northwest |
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Denver Nuggets |
Minnesota Timberwolves |
Oklahoma City Thunder |
Portland Trailblazers |
Utah Jazz |
West - Pacific |
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Golden State Warriors |
Los Angeles Clippers |
Los Angeles Lakers |
Phoenix Suns |
Sacramento Kings |
West - Southwest |
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Dallas Mavericks |
Houston Rockets |
Memphis Grizzlies |
New Orleans Pelicans |
San Antonio Spurs |
I think you'll see a non-zero change in the group stage but it will ramp quickly up. No one gives two fucka about FA cup early stages but top premier league soccer teams consider it just slightly less important than winning the league. I don't think it gets there or that the NBA was aiming for it but hey, don't underestimate the ability of owners to use marketing for fans and incentives for teams to make it important.
The NBL in Australia tried this a couple of seasons ago and nobody gave a shit. It was quickly abandoned.
It's certainly not going to do anything to entice the "why watch the game when I can catch highlights on Twitter" crowd, and as with the proper championship most teams will have zero chance.
The other difference is that winning the Premier League just means finishing on top at the end of the season. The NBA already has playoffs.