Wow, where did December go? Luckily, Brian and I were able to record a podcast all about the NBA in-season tournament, aka the NBA Cup.
We recorded it before the tournament wrapped up, and we were hoping for a Haliburton NBA Cup MVP. Of course, wound up with a LeBron James one, which, as the NBA is aware, is much better content. With that in mind, let’s kick it old school and do a listicle about the NBA Cup since I don’t know if I’ll have time before Christmas, which is now less than two weeks away, to write a proper article.
1. Anthony Davis is Kryptonite to the ABA
In the 2020 NBA Playoffs, now infamously dubbed the “Bubble Year,” the Nuggets got the closest they’d been to the Finals in years. Of course, the Lakers stood in their way like all of their other attempts (seriously, 2020, 2009, and 1985 :(). In game one of the Western Conference Finals, Anthony Davis was the best player with a 37-10 line in a double-digit victory over the Nuggets.
In game two, Anthony Davis was “outplayed” by Nikola Jokic but made a clutch buzzer-beater to turn a one-point must-win victory for the Nuggets into a loss. The Nuggets would lose 4-1, and the Lakers easily dismantled the Heat in the NBA Finals.
In the 2023 NBA Cup, Anthony Davis put up a 41-point, 20 rebound 4 block performance to dismantle the Indiana Pacers.
Both the Nuggets and Pacers are teams from the now-defunct ABA. Neither has won a title and at least the first encounter with Anthony Davis and the Lakers in the playoffs is not a great sign. We’ll see if the Pacers can return and redeem themselves next year!
2. Did Anthony Davis Earn NBA Cup MVP?
While Anthony Davis was busy scorching the Pacers, I was preparing to write an article about how LeBron James would soon follow in the footsteps of Kobe Bryant. Kobe Bryant, by all rights, was an MVP and Playoff MVP-worthy player in his prime. However, he was the second most productive player on the back-to-back title-winning Lakers in 2009 and 2010. Despite some horrendous shooting, Kobe won both Finals MVPs over Pau Gasol, who we argue deserved both.
In the title game, Anthony Davis put up a +13 Points over Par performance (meaning, all else being equal, Anthony Davis moved the line 13 points on his own!). LeBron James, on the other hand? -4 Points over Par. So, like Pau Gasol, Anthony Davis arguably helped the former MVP win a title, and maybe he should get the glory. History repeats? Kobe got Gasol. LeBron got AD. You’ll notice this is a bullet point, not a full article. So what happened? See the next bullet point!
3. Did LeBron James Earn NBA Cup MVP?
LeBron James isn’t right. He’ll be 39 before this season is complete, and somehow he is legitimately in the MVP discussion, both in the NBA Cup and in the regular season. Of course, he isn’t anywhere close to Jokic or Haliburton, but still easily worthy of a vote. And it turns out his performance in the NBA Cup has been excellent.
The NBA Cup Final game was uncharacteristic for LeBron. Even with that stinker of a game and Anthony Davis’ amazing Finals performance for the three rounds of the NBA Cup Playoffs. LeBron James was +25 Points over Par total, while Anthony Davis? +23. So, given that the award is for total performance, not one game? LeBron James has a sound reason to earn the NBA Cup MVP. But wait, there’s more!
4. Did Tyrese Haliburton Earn NBA Cup MVP?
In regards to MVP, the NBA has had a winners ’ bias for years. The Regular Season MVP is pretty much reserved for a player on a contender — unless you’re Russell Westbrook putting up a triple-double after losing Durant. The Finals MVP has gone to a player on the winning team every year except its first when Jerry West won despite being on the losing team. This being the first year of the NBA Cup, maybe history could repeat. Indeed, Dustin Dopirak voted for Haliburton!
Of course, the award went to LeBron. Unlike LeBron or AD, Tyrese was the best player on his team in all three rounds of the NBA Cup Playoffs. His total Points over Par was +35, better than both LeBron and AD. So, there’s an easy argument he should be the NBA Cup MVP!
When all is said and done, and you want to debate this, easy arguments
LeBron had the best game of MVP Candidates (12/7 against the Pelicans) and most Wins for the Lakers.
Anthony Davis dominated in the Final game of the NBA Cup.
Tyrese Haliburton had the most wins in the playoffs and was consistently the best player on his team.
Go forth and argue!
5. The Courts Looked Like Midnight Bowling, and It was Bad
The silliest topic Brian and I discussed on the podcast was the design of the NBA Courts. Brian noted the great design of, say the Phoenix Suns’ regular season court:
Whereas, the NBA Cup courts, well, they looked like Midnight Bowling
In general, I view the NBA Cup as a success. It sparked interest. Elimination tournaments are always fun. LeBron gets another MVP comparable to a Kobe Finals MVP or a Michael Jordan NCAA Title, which Bron never got due to entering the NBA straight from high school. That said, there are some areas for improvement next year, and I’d mark the courts as one. That said? We’ll probably see LeBron James there, as he doesn’t age, and I look forward to arguing MVP then!
-Dre