[Saba Sports News] The newly introduced NBA In-Season Tournament has brought excitement to the season’s early stages, yet it also carries a contentious aspect that has displeased several star players. Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum and Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo have voiced concerns about the importance of point differential in determining tournament standings. This tie-breaker rule encourages teams to extend their lead even in games with a clear outcome, potentially impacting the sport’s integrity.
Tatum, during a postgame interview, expressed his disapproval of the rule, citing instances where teams continue to score in already decided games, which he believes disrespects the game and opponents. Similarly, Adebayo, before a tournament game, remarked that this focus on point differential detracts from the game’s true essence.
Illustrating their concerns, the Celtics, leading by a significant margin in a recent tournament game, deliberately fouled Chicago Bulls’ Andre Drummond, a notably less efficient free-throw shooter, to increase their lead, leading to a tense exchange between coaches Billy Donovan and Joe Mazzulla. While the in-season tournament has offered some thrilling moments, it has also been marked by these controversial strategies.