With the NBA just having completed its first In-Season Tournament (IST), ESPN.com examines which features of the IST might remain the same and which might change in future seasons. The ESPN.com article raises seven issues, one of which being "What about those new court designs?" (click here for background on the courts).
Reactions to the courts were generally negative, according to the ESPN.com article. One concern was that the floors, covered entirely in paint with no natural wood showing, were more slippery than typical NBA courts. In addition, "Aesthetic issues were also present. Certain courts -- specifically those that heavily featured bright reds and blues -- were difficult to take in on television." Finally, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver acknowledged the courts were "a bit cookie cutter."
To me, the courts -- love them or hate them -- were just about the only noteworthy aspect of the In-Season Tournament. I suspect that once the real playoffs get underway next spring, the IST will be largely forgotten. After all, does anyone care about the NHL Presidents' Trophy, awarded to the team with the best regular-season record?
