USA Today via Reuters
May 19, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots a basket over Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) in the first half of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
May 19, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots a basket over Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) in the first half of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
The NBA finals are off to a rollicking start with the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks going toe to toe. The deciding bout will be the perfect way to cap off a highly entertaining season. One of the most intriguing features of the 75th edition of USA’s biggest sporting festival was the introduction of a play-in format.
Mixed reactions to play-in format
By virtue of the new play-in format, teams ranked 7-10 in the regular season would battle to secure the two play-off spots from each conference. The Board of Governors of the NBA unanimously gave a green light to this format for the 2020-21 season. The move aims at producing more thrill in the play-off race and gives more opportunities to worthy teams to seal a spot in the knockouts. However, the decision was met with mixed feelings.
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Some people opined that the play-in tournament was a fun addition to the league. It brings about more competition, and a pumping adrenaline rush. Moreover, it is a real test of strength for all the mid-table teams. Firmly against this train of thought, many fans feel the format is unfair to the teams that worked hard and attained the 7th and 8th seeds. They have to start fresh to make the play-offs, and it drains a lot of energy out of them.
Whatever your feelings about the #playintournament before…it delivered some real drama
— Matt Winer (@MattWinerTV) May 22, 2021
I can’t believe we are done watching Steph Curry this season. #playintournament
— Rick Kamla (@RickKamlaSports) May 22, 2021
Adam Silver feels play-in format will continue
via Getty
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 25: Commissioner of the NBA Adam Silver speaks onstage for Building Brands and Delighting Fans: Nurturing Talent and Creating Compelling Content in the Digital Age during day 3 of Fast Company Innovation Festival at 92nd Street Y on October 25, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images)
Responding to queries around the world on whether the play-in tournament will continue to take place, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver feels it will feature again. Following a pending confirmation from the 30 teams and the players’ union, the system is likely to resume. Silver is confident in the continuation of the ‘wild-card’ like format, Marc Stein reported.
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Adam Silver says he expects the play-in tournament to return next season … pending agreement with the league’s 30 teams and the players’ union.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 7, 2021
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The reaction to the play-in tournament was a mixed bag. Nevertheless, it surely produced some fantastic matches and edge-of-the-seat thrillers. Among the big money games of the play-ins was the great Stephen Curry vs LeBron James battle, which proved to be a gripping blockbuster. What are your feelings on the play-in format? Does it deserve to become a permanent feature or should it be scrapped? Have your say.
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