Is Something Wrong With The NBA Cup? (Film Breakdown)

[@nolie5596]

Rusty looks like Zubac a bit😂

[@beng4647]

You must be black.

[@chrilpy]

That’s a running joke on the channel

[@nolie5596]

@@chrilpy I know jus wanted to say since I was early to the vid

[@beng4647]

@@chrilpy oh....I thought it was all white guys look alike

[@jacobwatson9579]

@@beng4647nah he deadass jus look like him

[@BuckFieri]

People are talking about how viewership was down but that’s expected since last year was the first and featured the Lakers. We almost got Rockets vs. Hawks, imagine how bad those ratings would’ve been

[@fdbmane4594]

The teams playing in the cup are the least of the problems.

[@yougotbaited2943]

Adam Silver is the problem. The players are talented. the teams are fine. It’s the commissioner being a complete garbage can that’s killing ratings.

[@pikachureynolds1110]

So terrible to terrible is terrible? What a revelation.

[@d4v1do]

To be fair the 10% who didn’t watch were probably lebron fans

[@Cali_Sharp]

​@@yougotbaited2943They can thank him for all that terrible BLM bullshit. The league would've been fine, why go after and disrespect a large chunk of your viewership for some pandering bullshit that wasn't at all relevant to your product. I personally blame the NBPA & WNBA, it started with them wanting more pay and power, then it was the gays, then finally a drug addict. Adam Silver should be arrested for his piss poor decision making. He bent the knee to the woke and making the league go broke! Sike the NBA is raking in the cash from the very same entity that paid them to do the whole woke shit. Silver sold the NBA to the mainstream media, China, and Democrats for the money and worldwide expansion of the sport and league. I say let him and the league sink in their own filthy anti-American choices.

[@tonyb.1905]

The Bucks defense is on 🔥 The Bucks are undefeated with Thanasis on the sideline 😂

[@capjax8370]

Oh, no! Small market teams are competitive too!? Next you're gonna tell me they can also decide presidential elections!? Oh, brother.

[@shorewall]

For real, the handwringing over small market teams being successful just boggles my mind. Do they want it to be fixed?

[@nicholasleemarks]

My proposal: •5 divisions of 6 teams (3 EC, 3 WC) •5 division winners advance to QF •3 wild cards advance to QF +All 30 teams can play on Cup days +Tournament becomes more marketable and less confusing for fans when all teams can participate on a Cup day +Differentiates itself from the playoffs by ignoring the E/W splits +Creates fresh, new, compelling matchups because of the E/W integration that we would never see in the playoffs +Theoretically gets better teams into the QF because you don’t need even representation from conferences +Every team plays 5 group stage games, one more than the current structure allows, which also brings more attention to the tournament -Scheduling is more complicated because of the inter-conference matchups -Due to the desire to avoid back-to-backs involving Cup games, there will be more days with NO basketball at all (because all teams will be playing on Cup days) I think the positives outweigh the negatives

[@trikelikesfish]

LETS GO RUSTY 1 HOUR TO WATCH WHILE I TYPE MY SCHOOL ESSAY

[@Dimezprod]

W

[@hamzahsajjad7952]

Whats ur essay on bro

[@roms227]

Literally doing the same thing💀

[@trikelikesfish]

@@hamzahsajjad7952 finding rhetorical questions in speeches

[@mort996]

Chat gpt that shit bro

[@lrkcm373]

It just can’t be in Vegas. Crowd just didn’t care. Home court needs to go to the best record.

[@shorewall]

100%

[@Trick.Ricky.Sternn]

100% creates energy and silent energy. Or up the money.

[@BestGamingShortss]

It has a playoff feeling to it. I like it.

[@haiphan9181]

I dropped a like because it makes a massive difference

[@JolteOnWisconsin]

Wait, so the bucks go on a win streak before the tournament starts and continue to win…and there’s something wrong with the tournament? What am I missing?

[@leroyjames2825]

His team was eliminated long ago.

[@roosh2927]

I swear to God, when I saw the title and the length on the video, I thought this was going to be some deep dive rabbit hole on a new conspiracy theory about the actual, physical NBA Cup trophy 😂

[@shorewall]

For a second, I did too. :D I remember someone talking about Giannis messing with the trophy or something, and that primed me for the idea.

[@CalebSimmons-cb4ch]

I think the Cup needs to have a longer group play stage to inflate its importance, give more good regular season games over a longer period, and make decisions for advancers simpler. I think about 8-10 games personally. And I think it would just be easier if the NBA had the group draw replaced by just the already preexisting divisions. I also think Vegas shouldn't host any games (the lack of any atmosphere is sad) and homecourt should just be awarded the way it is in the postseason with the team with the better record getting to have homecourt advantage. If the NBA expands group play, then homecourt could be decided based on a team's NBA Cup record (in case of a tie, then it goes to the team with a better record for the whole season, if still tied then it goes to the teams' record against each other, if still tied or if they haven't played any games yet, decide it on point differential for the season).

[@leopucci9452]

middleton was sick not injured

[@kalanivalentine]

videos like this are gonna blow up in a couple of years the docu style is something thats gonna get alot of appreciation from people looking back to the past i love it

[@pinobluevogel6458]

The Mavs vs OKC game clearly shows why a single game elimination format isn't the same as a best of 7 playoff series. OKC shot well, while the Mavs shot quite a bit worse than their averages. Luka having a 16 pts game at horrible efficiency is not something that is going to happen often, if at all. They didn't give him any fouls, which he clearly expected with the way he was defended. It is not smart to play for the foul, especially if the refs refuse to give any of it to you, but I'm just calling it like it is. Don't get me wrong, OKC was the better team in this game, but this isn't representative of how the Mavs play, or how they shoot. The game vs the Warriors was a lot more representative of how well they can shoot, despite both teams failing horribly to play defense. The christmas game idea wasn't too bad. Normally this time of year, they have a few key games that they expect to draw a good viewership, but the NBA cup can be underwhelming for viewership as it doesn't interest the peope that aren't fans of those teams nearly as much.

[@Joe_Ma99]

Okc game no PJ Washington or Maxi Kleber. Golden state game they had both. Not saying that they win that game with both but not having you starting or buck up power foward probably makes a difference.

[@pinobluevogel6458]

@@Joe_Ma99 Especially Washington seems to have decisive moments against OKC, or any team for that matter. He's a very impactful player.

[@Cell9074]

I feel like the cup will get more appreciated with time people just get afraid of change 😂

[@shorewall]

Yeah, it isn't hurting anything and the players play harder. It isn't on par with a chip, it's just something extra during the season.

[@d4v1do]

Especially Americans

[@trelogiatros8711]

I would make three changes in the group stage: 1) get rid of draw, each division is its own group. This way you revive local rivalries. 2) double round robin tournament, instead of current single RR. Play every division rival once at home and once on the road. More games, more fairness in deciding division winner. Plus, you can shake off one bad night. 3) Group stage games separated from standard regular season games. Reasons explained by Rusty in video. Regarding the Final Four, i wouldn't be shocked to see it go international, like say UAE... the main sponsor being Emirates says quite a lot

[@jacobbarnett3514]

Your second point is interesting because as someone from the UK, I would argue cup competitions here is football (soccer) that is the best part that you can have is that you can have a bad night. The league is for the most consistent team, but cups are for the form team, the experience to do it over 12 games rather 40 in a season etc. we call it magic of the cup etc where tiny teams from 4/5 leagues below get to the semis. Sorry I rambled but thought it was interesting that you thought it better to remove the effects of having a slip up or bad night! When that’s what makes every cup competitive to me !

[@shorewall]

@@jacobbarnett3514 I like that point, of like a March Madness style Cinderella run. I just think that the IST is new, and it doesn't hurt anything, and it's fun and the players play hard. Over time it will be something fun, just like the Play in Tournament. Not the most ground breaking thing, but something fun in the middle of the season.

[@lukeb1663]

I would argue, like Jacob, consistency is for the playoffs with the 7 game series where the IST should be more like March madness. I agree that the draw should go away since it’s really dumb. I personally would also remove all RR games and go straight to a single elimination tournament where home court is decided by regular season record at the start of the tournament.

[@dansimpson5056]

One of my favorite ideas is having the cup games be the international games that way it brings intrigue to the crowd and the arena also incentivizes the fans to be heavily invested cuz that’s like their only real shot to see live nba ball I just think this would be a huge win for the league hold the cup in Mexico City or Shang hai and if the international travel is really that much of an issue try having it in Hawaii that would give the same opportunity to fans as an international game with no customs logistical issues

[@coatap4]

I am a fan of your film breakdowns, i hope this doesn’t violate any TOS

[@BroadChronometry]

Put the semifinals as a home game for the team with highest seed or whatever tie breaker. Keep the final in Vegas, but put it a week or two afterwards so that fan bases can arrange travel.

[@JayEm1325]

They should at least give the cup extra game validity IF you win. At least give the incentive to the winning team that theyll have that tie breaker.

[@nicholasleemarks]

Yes! I’ve said that it should count as a half win. Or if that’s aesthetically not tasteful when looking at the standings, use another marker to indicate they own the top tie-breaker at the end of season (if applicable of course)

[@MOCskoden]

I think the NBA Cup should intertwine with the all-star… winning team still gets money, the fmvp of that team in the entire tournament is auto bid for all-nba and top 10 mvp candidate… have 14 cup games determine with teams split into 4 groups… the best players of the winning 8 are in and the rest of teams select their best players remaining…

[@tendrel_sound]

Isaiah Joe sounds like a Harlem Globetrotter name

[@dansimpson5056]

Major note for me when watching this Milwaukee Atlanta game for extended periods on league pass (tnt ot) during the game the score and game clock weren’t shown on the screen I jumped in during the 3rd quarter and that shit really pissed me off terrible product for a big game like come on man that’s literally like the bare minimum is showing the score and the game clock

[@yodasamara1940]

Why this video isnt up in spotify? Also how can i hear the new episodes of the shoot around?

[@alsorustybuckets]

figured this one was just way too dependent on visuals to distribute on audio platforms... sorry about that. the shootaround is here though: www.youtube.com/@SHOOTAROUND and audio platforms. - rudy

[@BIGBL4NC0]

theres a lot of flaws with the nba cup, but too many people hate its entire existence. I keep seeing people ask what the point is, like everything in the NBA is profoundly meaningful. With that line of thinking, what is the point of the finals? What is the point of basketball

[@mattaston3293]

I liked because I appreciate the large effort that you put into this second channel video

[@chrissullivan6572]

I know this video aint do well but I like video breakdown Rusty

[@ill_steal_your_pbj7363]

23:08 Trae was dancing around Capela like a stripper on a pole in that Knicks game💀

[@28makeitgreat]

Hot take; Joel Embiid will be one of the biggest What Ifs in the NBA when he came into the league. He missed his first two years with injury. Once he got in was one of the best players even got an MVP, but I think that his injuries are going to be too much and he’s gonna retire soon, and we are going to look back and say imagine if he got over his injuries (and kawhi never made that shot) he would’ve been considered one of the best players of all time

[@solomonalemu3561]

10 out of 10

[@DanielKerin-z2o]

Watching this masterpiece while eating dinner

[@flyyguy.ty7]

3:46 that’s lowkey more corner than wing but it’s still not elbow 3:50 that’s the wing, not the elbow

[@d4v1do]

We need an NBA super cup too

[@Optimator7]

Love it

[@solomonalemu3561]

you did it

[@lexzone-six9912]

The NBA would be foolish to put an NBA team in Vegas.

[@warpspeed9877]

Yes. Because Bucks got it. (Media insider)

[@mcgaming8982]

I think the tournament is good until Vegas. I don’t mind the games being spread out. That’s what international tournaments do with soccer and no don’t make the finals on Christmas I’d say MLK day is better

[@solo2wo6ix]

Clint Capela gets an easy 3 point opportunity!

[@solomonalemu3561]

OH MY GOD

[@solomonalemu3561]

not bad

[@halion4487]

The joke wasn’t anything special, it was a cheap shot and not especially funny, but was nothing more than a failed attempt at being humorous. The response was what killed them. Instead of sticking to media silence, they showed weakness and became the easiest target to pile on. Conceding an inch became giving a mile, and Lawrence was also clearly halfway out the door so it became the best time to jump ship and not face the consequences of the ship they had let sink.

[@solomonalemu3561]

great

[@solomonalemu3561]

nice

[@solomonalemu3561]

good

[@krsnavigliotti4611]

I didn’t want to pay for espn since I already have league pass

[@d4v1do]

To be fair the 10% who didn’t watch were probably lebron fans

[@Trick.Ricky.Sternn]

They need to allow defense again allow players to talk that 💩 with real defense players would play more balanced like drive n shoot

[@adamparsons1947]

Damn bro hate from Las Vegas I guess

[@bohanxu6125]

I personally don't like this format. I think it's better to make one video for each night, instead of an one hour long video about games played a week ago.

[@graysonschutzman4853]

like and comment for the effort lol

[@Kaine12349]

I don’t know if this is the answer but maybe if they incentivize more things throughout the season we’ll see a lot more competitive play and not so much of a “just trying to get to the playoffs “ mentality

[@professionallyamateur5991]

This. Other basketball leagues worldwide have a few IST's, and it draws fans to pay attention all season long. I'm starting to think Euro League fans actually like basketball more than U.S. NBA fans do. The NBA Cup isn't "meaningless," just like it isn't "meaningless" to win your Division each year.

[@R1ckyGeneral]

How they could make it better: Winners of the cup should get seeded for NBA finals regardless of league position finish. If the cup winner also finishes in a seeded position in the league, the bye goes to the other finalist, if they're also top 6, then semifinalist loser and so on and so fourth. That team would take the 6 seed, pushing whoever finished six into the promotion playoff, and whoever finished 10 seed drops out

[@vinniechan]

They just dont have the tradition to get tje clout yet so ppl dont care

[@jons1278]

I remember when people were saying Hartenstein was "unplayable". Guy's come a long way. :)

[@sloshtugz4087]

Damn, views are low.

[@diegolanda3505]

Jesus Christ loves you

[@jakethelifter3824]

You have a really nice nose Rusty

[@kcabriol5643]

First

[@BraydenEats1]

Cap

[@Dimezprod]

🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆

[@KAye633]

Y’all complain about everythinggggg with the nba

[@terrellewilliams2188]

It’s watered down that’s why

[@ZimmFor3]

Cringe

[@GeronimoOoO7]

Giannis dancing ruined it for me

[@DScott-be7pg]

2nd...first loser 😢

[@Dimezprod]

🏆🏆🏆🏆

[@kartierglory]

If you ain't firsts, ya last

[@mt_baldwin]

Nobody cares about the NBA cup because nobody cares about the regular season. Players, coaches, GMs, teams, fans, the media, KZbinrs, no one does."Can he do it in the playoffs?!" What do you think this means? The implications of it? And everyone says it or some variation of it. Nothing matters unless it happens in the playoffs, so nothing matters but the playoffs.

[@leroyjames2825]

Speak for yourself, the players played hard like it was the playoffs. Evidently, your team was eliminated long ago.

[@professionallyamateur5991]

It's sad because basketball leagues in any other continent have in-season tournaments that add excitement to the regular season. Meanwhile in the States, eyes glaze over and people are like, "but the PLAYOFFS? PLAYOFFS? CHIP? REGULAR SEASON IRRELEVANT." It's like U.S. NBA fans don't really enjoy basketball, they only care about uniquely high-stakes shit. The fact that the star players have all given high effort to the NBA Cup is reassuring, though. Give me more in-season tournaments.

[@shorewall]

@@professionallyamateur5991 Yeah, Idgi. I expect casual fans to not care, but a lot of NBA KZbinrs aren't behind it either, and I don't get it. It makes the players play harder, it gives some incentive to try for those that will take it, and Giannis and the Bucks winning shows that contenders do care about the IST. And it isn't hurting anything. It isn't taking away from something else.

[@professionallyamateur5991]

​@shorewall amen! I like that it's an investment into the earlier part of the season, and this year, we got to see some crazy stuff, with some competitive matchups. The league NEEDS to be more than "who won the Larry O'Brian last year?" and "what do the records look like in March?" The way the Heat do the regular season like it mostly doesn't matter is one of the reasons I don't like them, because by buying into that perception, they may create some advantages for themselves at times, but they make me wonder why I should bother watching their regular season games when other teams like the Bucks and the Thunder and the Celtics and the Rockets are bringing it basically every single game.

[@protector_of_the_realms]

Players cared for it, coaches cared for it, teams cared for it, the media cared for it, fans cared for it like me it was great. Wtf are you on lol?

[@CaHgO]

Sorry, but suuuuper boring video. A review of every game of a super meaningless event... C'mon... Just review the final for a 20-minutes video and that's far more than this thing deserves.

[@professionallyamateur5991]

Just say "I don't really enjoy basketball, I only enjoy the Playoffs." It more clearly communicates the message you're sending with this buns attitude in your comment.

[@arneliocuna]

You can just skip ahead to the final game review if you are not interested in the other games. The timestamps are there for a reason.

[@TheRenegadeMoose]

Literally nobody cares about the sippy cup championship

[@DanielKerin-z2o]

That’s the best name I’ve ever heard😂

[@Tomtainius]

I can’t understand why people are disliking this tournament. It’s literally just NBA players fighting to win basketball games harder than they would in a regular season game. What’s not to like?

[@DanielKerin-z2o]

@@TomtainiusI actually agree. I am pretty happy with the cup but I just had to applaud that name.

[@ThaChildishOne]

Don’t be salty just cause your team didn’t win. The cup was entertaining

[@professionallyamateur5991]

Anybody that dismisses in-season tournaments should be dismissed as not just a casual, but a *casual's* casual. Them simply being called a casual at that point is an insult to casuals' engagement with the game. If you really enjoy basketball, you'll care about more than the Playoffs. If all you care about is the Playoffs, then what you mostly enjoy is stakes and/or gambling. Every other notable basketball league on the planet has IST's, and the fans engage those tournaments because they bring intensity to the part of the season Playoff-only fans and the Miami Heat ignore, and incentivize being a fan more than being a spring-time gambling addict.