NEWSLETTER
With the NBA tipping off the 2023-24 regular season on Wednesday night, they wasted no time promoting the upcoming In-Season Tournament.
A brand new ad debuted during TNT’s double-header broadcast of the league’s two opening night matchups. With the final four teams competing for the NBA Cup in Las Vegas, the ad features Soprano’s Star Michael Imperioli explaining the dynamics of the tournament. Even better, he does it with a classic Heist theme that features several of the game’s biggest names. And that includes a Chicago Bull!
While explaining how every good crew needs a “forward who’s light on his feet,” a dapper DeMar DeRozan walks through the casino. The six-time All-Star dodges gamblers and waitstaff before he enters an elevator that contains Trae Young. As the two realize the top floor holds the prized possession, they fight it out.
Watch the big screen time for DeMar DeRozan here:
The ad also features Anthony Davis, Julius Randle, Darius Garland, and Kawhi Leonard. But I think it’s safe to say DeRozan secured the best screen time!
The newest addition to the league calendar, the In-Season Tournament splits all 30 teams into six separate groups. Each matchup against a team in your group will count toward the In-Season Tournament record AND the regular season. Once the final group stage game is played, the winner of each group and two wild card teams will battle it out in a knockout round. The final four teams will then head to Las Vegas for a chance at the first-ever mid-season title. For complete details, click here.
While I’m skeptical of how seriously players will take this event, I do think it could be a fun way to spice up the season. The Play-In Tournament was another idea met with some initial uncertainty, but it’s become a fun wrinkle in recent years.
The first In-Season Tournament game for the Chicago Bulls will be on Nov. 3 against the Brooklyn Nets. For a complete look at the schedule, you can go here …
