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Getty Mark Cuban des Dallas Mavericks.
Mark Cuban is not afraid of the spotlight. The Dallas Mavericks owner has never been afraid to share his opinions, regardless of what others think, and that’s one of the main reasons fans are so drawn to him — he’s always brutally honest.
Well, he recently shared one of his honest takes. Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that the NBA was toying with the idea of adding an in-season tournament that would see all 30 teams compete during the regular season. However, Cuba is hesitant to endorse this concept.
In a video posted by Forbes’ Landon Buford, he expressed his disgust at the idea. He even went so far as to say that Dallas might consider benching players in these games to give them some rest, since their only goal is to win a championship.
“In terms of tournaments in season, I’m not a fan. I can see the Mavs not participating at all or letting our best players rest. Until they give me one [The Larry O’Brien Trophy] the price is the price,” Cuban said.
Mark Cuban on the NBA In Season Tournament:
“In terms of the tournament of the season, I’m not a fan. I can see the Mavs not participating at all or resting our best players. Until they give me one of these [The Larry O’Brien Trophy] the price is the price. #MFFL #NBATwitter #Dallasin pic.twitter.com/lYYEc9OPzV
— Landon Buford (@LandonBuford) September 9, 2022
However, according to Charania, all tournament games would be part of the regular season schedule, so Cuba may have to rethink the idea of seating key Mavericks players.
In fact, he backtracked on his initial comments shortly after the video with Buford went viral. He told longtime NBA insider Marc Stein that he might be open to the idea of an in-season tournament.
Cuban says comments are old
According to Stein, Cuban told him that the video that recently surfaced is a bit dated and that he’s actually more open to the idea now. Stein noted that Cuban thinks the concept “has a chance to generate interest” in the league.
“I spoke to Mavs owner Mark Cuban, who said the quotes circulating about his views on in-season NBA tournaments are ‘old’ and he’s ‘really open to it’ as a that concept for the 2023-24 season, saying he believes it “has a chance to generate interest” if adopted for the 2023-24 season,” Stein tweeted.
Spoke to Mavs owner Mark Cuban, who said quotes circulating about his views on current NBA tournaments are ‘old’ and he’s ‘really open to it’ as a concept for the season 2023-24, saying he thinks he “has a chance to attract interest” if adopted for the 2023-24 season.
– Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) 10 septembre 2022
Additionally, Cuban told Stein about an interesting idea he has regarding what the prize money should be for the winner of the in-season tournament.
“Cuban, however, told me he was in favor of expanding the NBA draft from its current two rounds to four and proposing that the winner of an NBA Cup in the course of the season get the first pick in the third. and fourth rounds of an expanded draft. …provided the picks can’t be swapped,” Stein tweeted.
Cuban, however, told me he was in favor of expanding the NBA Draft from its current two rounds to four and proposing that the winner of an NBA Cup in the course of the season get the first pick in the third and fourth rounds of an expanded draft…provided the picks can’t be swapped. https://t.co/XPvGVoS7bH
– Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) 10 septembre 2022
According to Charania, the in-season tournament format would not take away much from the regular season.
Proposed tournament format in NBA season
Charania reported that the NBA is looking to potentially implement this idea in the 2023-24 season with the following format:
“Current NBA In Season Tournament roster as of 2023-24, sources say:
“- Cup matches until November
“- 8 teams qualify for the knockout final in December; the other 22 continue the regular season
“- All matches that are part of the normal 82-match schedule; an extra for two final teams,” Charania tweeted.
Current NBA In Season Tournament roster as of 2023-24, per the sources:
– Cup matches until November – 8 teams qualify for the knockout final in December; the other 22 continue the regular season – All games are part of the normal 82-game schedule; a supplement for two final teams
– Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) 9 septembre 2022
He also noted that the league is still working to finalize the deal.
“The NBA and NBPA are still working to finalize the in-season tournament concept, which includes prizes to be determined for the eight teams that will advance to the knockout round, sources said,” he tweeted.
The NBA and NBPA are still working to finalize the in-season tournament concept, which includes prizes to be determined for the eight teams that advance to the knockout round, sources said. https://t.co/j5Sr54WUEJ
– Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) 9 septembre 2022
If the in-season tournament does end up being implemented, keep an eye on the Mavericks as Cuban can’t make up his mind.
Heavier on Mavericks news
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