The NBA play-in tournament has become a hot of debate this season. Not only are the fans deliberating over it, but the players and owners are also voicing their opinion on it. Recently, LeBron James made some unfavorable remarks about it.
With his Los Angeles Lakers team sliding down the table, he is very much against it. In fact, he called for the person who came up with the idea to be relieved of his duties. And he’s found an ally in former Laker, Shaquille O’Neal –
“These two years, I am okay with it. But if you are trying to change the rules and say ‘forever’, (then) I am in agreeance with LeBron (James).”
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But Shaq is not vouching for this season’s play-in tournament to be canceled. “Because you know last year with the Bubble, shortened games and this year starting the season late and ending late – I am in for the Play-in tournament. But after this, I don’t ever want to see it again.”
Dwyane Wade does not side with LeBron James but understands his stance
LeBron’s criticism came after Mavericks’ Luka Doncic also blasted it when his team was lying seventh in the West. The Lakers are dangerously close to being the seventh seed now as just one game separates them from the Blazers. Moreover, LeBron’s out for the next few games after re-injuring his ankle.
Hence, the last thing that their injury-prone and aged roster needs right now is a fixture pile-up. But this is from his team’s own point of view. His former teammate, Dwyane Wade, chooses to look at the bright side of the play-in tournament.
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Read More: ‘It’s Not About Your Feelings’: Channing Frye Reacts to LeBron James’ Comments on Play-in Tournament
“The jury is still out. I am not one of the guys that’s playing extra games, I am not one of the guys that’s getting an opportunity that I would not have if I possibly miss the playoffs,” Wade told the ‘NBA on TNT’ panel.
“You look at one end and you say, ‘Yeah, LeBron does not want to play the extra games.’ Then you look on the other end with young guys like Ja Morant and those guys are fighting. We are like, ‘Please, let them play.’
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The king is mad, and he’s stirred up a debate. But like D-Wade said, only time will tell the pros and cons of the play-in tournament.