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LAS VEGAS — The arena was mostly full, the Bucks were dancing at center court, and Damian Lillard was holding a trophy aloft under a rain of confetti — something he had never gotten to do before. In their locker room, the Bucks were loud and celebrating.
“It’s the best feeling ever — just winning,” NBA Cup,” tournament MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo said. “We had this goal as a team and we have accomplished it. I’m very proud of everybody. I’m so happy for our team. We got our first trophy together and this is just the beginning.”
Yet, in a sign of how both players and teams are treating the NBA Cup, the champagne room the NBA set up for the Bucks to have that celebration and drench each other went untouched — Milwaukee didn’t want to make too much of this win with 70% of the NBA season still to be played (a lesson two-time cup winning coach Darvin Ham passed along).
Bucks coach Doc Rivers told me after talking with Darvin Ham and his experience with Lakers last season, they chose not to celebrate The Cup championship with dousing and drinking of champagne. Want to focus on the remainder of the season. pic.twitter.com/CQ0J0aoeWz
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) December 18, 2024
All of which begs the question:
Is the NBA Cup a success?
Yes.
And no. It was always going to take time to build what Adam Silver envisioned. How you view the event’s success depends upon the lens through which you choose to view the NBA Cup.
The players like it, and with that the games tend to have a little more intensity. To a man, the players on all four teams in Las Vegas for the cup semifinals and finals — and other players who spoke about it but whose teams didn’t advance — praise the NBA Cup.
“I like it. I think it provides excitement for us as players and excitement for the fans,” Lillard said on an off day. “It’s something on the line before you get to the playoffs. I think it just brings out the best in us.
“You get in these Cup games where the floor is different. The uniform is different. You know that we’re playing for something. There’s a prize at the end, obviously, a trip to Vegas and ultimately just an opportunity to win…
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Author : NBC Sports
Publish date : 2024-12-18 17:42:00
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