As good as these first two years of invention have gone, it is clear that the NBA Cup has some aspects to improve. This season it has been common to see complaints about the group stage format and, in this recent final round, about Las Vegas as the venue for the final three games. The Nevada city has been the darling of the NBA for nearly a decade, winking at it like Summer League, an All-Star and now this NBA Cup ‘Final Four’, all in anticipation of being one of the city’s benefactors in the next expansion of the league.
Last year the atmosphere at T-Mobile Arena hit the mark in a big way. But the little asterisk of the Lakers’ attractiveness anywhere in the United States. This year, with two small markets like Milwaukee and Oklahoma and two more medium markets like Atlanta and Houston, things have struggled. Until it left a rather soulless atmosphere during the semi-finals and final. Especially when compared to what was experienced in the quarter-finals, again played on the pitches of the teams that had won that round at home.
Silver begins to doubt
The impression has been such in these five days that Adam Silver has floated the idea of a change of location or a general approach. The commissioner said he was “not sure” about holding the 2025 final in Las Vegas. Especially after receiving suggestions from some teams interested in playing all the Cup matches at their teams’ home ground.
However, he also said it would be difficult to fit it into the calendar and that he sees some advantages to making the annual trip to Las Vegas a tradition so that people book that weekend to travel to Sin City. A desire perhaps too optimistic.
In recent days, even the ability of Las Vegas fans to live up to an NBA franchise when the time comes has been questioned, especially by users of the networks. Which is quite complicated. In fact, the NHL’s Las Vegas Golden Knights have had far more support than anyone expected since day one. The same thing hasn’t happened since the Raiders moved to the city from Oakland, probably bringing with them an already inherited history.
(Photo at copertina at SOENKE BURKERT LAS VEGAS/OLDEN)
