Giannis Antetokounmpo Reflects on NBA Cup as Bucks Prepare for Final Showdown
LAS VEGAS — When Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo was asked about the second edition of the NBA Cup and whether he’d make any changes to the event, his response was as smooth as his Eurostep. With a smile, he said, “I don’t think there’s anything to change.”
Antetokounmpo, whose Bucks fell short in the semifinals of last year’s tournament in Las Vegas, added, “My room is nice. The arena here is nice. You guys [the assembled media] make it feel real. I overheard a couple players while we were walking in, and they said, ‘Oh wow, this is real.’ That’s how I felt last year.”
While last season’s NBA Cup champions, LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, didn’t make it back to Las Vegas this year, and the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics failed to advance past group play, the tournament still boasts plenty of star power. Tuesday night’s final will feature a marquee matchup between MVP favorites Antetokounmpo and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the Bucks take on the Oklahoma City Thunder.
“We’ve been really pleased with the second year of this format and the first year of the Emirates NBA Cup,” said Evan Wasch, the league’s executive vice president of strategy and analytics, in an interview with ESPN. “It’s great to see players buy in and really compete for something during this early part of the season.”
But even with the positive reception, the NBA Cup is still a work in progress. As the league continues to tweak and refine the tournament, here’s a look at what’s working, what’s not, and what could be next for the NBA’s in-season showcase.
The Adjusted Schedule: A Slam Dunk
One of the most significant changes this year was the adjustment to the knockout round schedule. Last season, the entire process was crammed into six days:
- Quarterfinals at home sites on Monday and Tuesday
- Semifinals in Las Vegas on Thursday
- Championship game in Las Vegas on Saturday
This tight schedule left teams like the Bucks scrambling. Milwaukee arrived in Las Vegas early Wednesday morning last year, only to play an early afternoon game on Thursday—just 30 hours later. The league also went head-to-head with the NFL on both Monday and Thursday, which didn’t help viewership.
This year, the NBA stretched the schedule to eight days:
- Quarterfinals at home sites on Tuesday and Wednesday
- Semifinals in Las Vegas on Saturday
- Championship game in Las Vegas on Tuesday
The extra time has been a hit with players, coaches, and executives. Teams now have more time to prepare for elimination games, and the change has resulted in more competitive and dramatic matchups. Saturday’s semifinals, for example, were spirited battles that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
However, fitting the tournament into the NBA’s already packed schedule remains a challenge. Over a 10-day span, the league had one day with no games, two days with a single game, and three days with just two games. While this setup highlights the NBA Cup, it doesn’t help reduce back-to-backs during the regular season. “It makes the schedule really wonky for this week,” admitted a Western Conference executive.
Still, the excitement generated by the quarterfinals and semifinals has been undeniable. “It’s gotten its desired outcome,” the executive said. “There’s more to these games than just any old game. You heard [Steve] Kerr’s comments after [Golden State’s quarterfinal loss]. They were pissed. They wanted to be there.”
Neutral-Site Games: A Mixed Bag
Tuesday night’s final will be a test of whether moving the championship game from Saturday to Tuesday impacts attendance and TV ratings. However, the absence of the Lakers—whose massive fan base is just a short drive from Las Vegas—could also play a role in those numbers.
While Saturday’s semifinals were competitive, the atmosphere inside T-Mobile Arena was lukewarm. Attendance for the first game saw a slight bump from 16,837 last year to 17,113 this year, but the second game dropped from 18,017 (a sellout) to 17,937. League officials were still pleased, thanks in part to a strong showing from Atlanta Hawks fans who were in town for the Falcons’ Monday Night Football game against the Raiders.
“You could definitely hear them in the crowd tonight,” said Hawks star Trae Young after Atlanta’s semifinal loss. “It was good to have them out here supporting us. Wish we could have won for them.”
However, the neutral-site games lacked the energy of home-court matchups, a stark contrast to the electric atmosphere of the quarterfinals. Last year, the Lakers’ presence helped boost the vibe, but this year’s tournament has highlighted the challenges of creating excitement in a neutral environment.
What’s Next for the NBA Cup?
One idea gaining traction is hosting the semifinals at home sites and keeping the championship game in Las Vegas. This format, similar to the UEFA Champions League, could create a better atmosphere for the games. However, it would mean fewer teams get the midseason Vegas experience, and it would require teams to keep more arena dates open—an issue for franchises with multiuse venues.
Another change is already confirmed: the NBA Cup’s next television home. Starting next season, Amazon will take over broadcasting duties for the quarterfinals, semifinals, and championship game. Discussions between the NBA and Amazon have included potential schedule changes, such as moving the tournament deeper into the regular season. However, these talks are still in the early stages, and no changes are expected next year.
Some executives have also floated the idea of doubling the group stage from four to eight games. This adjustment could increase the chances of top teams advancing. For example, the East’s top two teams—the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics—missed out this year, while no team in the West’s top five reached the knockout rounds last year.
“If you play eight group games,” said another Western Conference executive, “the Celtics wind up in [the knockout rounds].”
The NBA has already shown its willingness to adapt, making immediate changes to the knockout round schedule after last year’s inaugural event. And while the league is happy with the tournament’s progress, it’s clear the NBA Cup will continue to evolve.
“In terms of changes for future years, we’re always going to be looking at ways to improve the experience for our teams, players, fans, and partners,” Wasch said. “So while there’s nothing I can say is definitely coming, it’s always something we’re looking at fine-tuning.”
Originally Written by: Tim Bontemps
