A solution to the NBA's problem
Adam Silver knows they need to eliminate back to backs. I have an idea
It’s called the Champion’s Cup. Let’s circle back to that though. First, the NBA has acknowledged it has a problem. A few weeks ago, Adam Silver admitted as much. Star players simply can’t stay healthy with the grind of today’s game. Looked at the games total for almost all the NBA’s key players, between 65-75 is the norm now. This leaves a LOT of games where key players are missing, watering down the product. The NBA has talked about shortening the schedule. But, neither the players nor owners want to give up the revenue from those lost games. So, how do we make up the money that is lost? A midseason tournament has been a popular suggestion, and I am here to say: Let’s do it. This is where the Champion’s Cup comes in.
The NBA has been working hard to grow the game of basketball beyond our shores, in places like China, Brazil, and all of Europe. What if those teams actually got to play NBA teams in games that mattered? It’s never happened before. While we assume the NBA would dominate, who REALLY knows until it’s done. So, I suggest the Champion’s Cup. Let’s work out the logistics.
First: Who will be there? The top 12 teams from the previous NBA season should all qualify automatically. Why 12? That is the amount of teams that qualify for the playoffs without a play in. This automatically boosts the value of qualifying for the playoffs outside the play in, which is a nice side benefit. The final four teams should all be teams that won leagues around the world. Let’s say a play in amongst the top four European leagues for two spots, Chinese Basketball Association 1 spot, and a play in between Africa and South America for the last spot.
Second: When should we do it? It should start Christmas day, the holiest day of the regular season basketball calendar. Then, the quarterfinals (part one) are two days later (27th). The second quarterfinals are the (29th). The semifinals two days after that (31st), the finals on Jan 2nd to avoid the bowl games. Yes, you are competing with college football, but you are mostly avoiding the NFL and college basketball, neither of which has much momentum in this period.
Third: Where should we do it? NY. The only city with TWO NBA arenas plays host, so on Christmas day we can see a few simultaneously before the big matchups at night. NY is the mecca of basketball, and the ultimate melting pot. It shouldn’t be anywhere else.
Fourth: What would the playing schedule be? It should start with the bottom four teams versus the four international teams. Why? It increases the chance of an upset. We WANT the international teams to be competitive. It would dramatically increase the international value of the competition if those teams could win a game or two every year. The top four teams NBA teams take on the next four NBA teams. The four losers play the winners of the first group. Then, the four winners of that group play the top 4 teams from the second group. This will get us down to a final four of teams. Those teams play three final games to determine the cup champion.
Fifth: How does this benefit the NBA. DOLLARS. This tournament would make up for a lot of lost revenue with it’s international audience, new TV money, new champion and new advertising. Players would still end up playing some extra games, but they would be MEANINGFUL games. A one and done championship. This format has worked wonders for the NCAA, for whom college basketball is not much of a money maker UNTIL they get to said tournament. EXPOSURE. The NBA would have a product in the winter time frame to compete with the NFL, College Football and College Basketball, all of whom currently corner almost all the headlines at that point of the year. This doesn’t even mention international exposure.
Sixth: Would the players go for it? Maybe. You would have to take a significant chunk from the schedule. I would suggest 78 games. Why? So you can play a home and away with each team from the other conference, and 3 games with everyone in your conference but 2 home-and-away sets in your division. You would need to add a monetary incentive for sure to the winning team, but that will be easy. This thing would BANK coin. Finally, you would have a team that could rightly call itself a WORLD Champion. We say they are now, but here, NBA players could prove it. Their pride would be at stake.
Seventh: Would the fans love it? I hope so. What could be better than adding more meaningful NBA basketball. You would rather watch another Magic Kings game on Dec 27th than this? C’mon. This might feel contrived at first, but other sports like soccer do this on the regular. I would LOVE to see what a motivated and un-scouted Euro-league team could do against the Timberwolves next year. I think this is a game changer. What are your thoughts?