Silver discusses league issues
NBA commissioner Adam Silver pushed for the In-Season Tournament for years and it was wildly successful, although the Lakers haven’t been the same since winning the title in December. The tournament will become a staple in the schedule, so traditionalists need to prepare.
“We just came from a meeting with all our team presidents and talked about potential changes to the In-Season Tournament, everything from how to break tiebreakers to what the courts look like to maybe even the name of the overall tournament,” Silver said this past week. “We are pleased with the success after the first season, and no doubt it will be back next year, probably with just a couple of tweaks. Then beyond that, as we’re talking to television partners and maybe figuring out when exactly the best time of year is to do it, maybe it will make sense to make some other modifications to the format. Those are things we’ll look at.”
The league likely will adjust the tiebreaker system and change qualifying priorities. The tournament created the interest the NBA has been seeking in early December, when it had been getting overshadowed by the NFL and college football. Even those who rejected the potential of an In-Season Tournament had to acknowledge the idea was successful.
“I think now with the Play-In Tournament, which we view as having been successful, certainly the In-Season Tournament, as so much is changing around us, I feel that gives us a little bit more license with our teams to look at other forms of innovation,” Silver said. “I think it’s because there was a fair amount of resistance to both those initiatives, understandably, and nothing comes without some disruption. But I think there’s a recognition then, as people are consuming media in different ways, the game is becoming more global, you have to look at other things.”
Shifting to Draymond Green’s suspension, Silver would not confirm whether he talked the Warriors forward out of retirement during their meetings. Green is expected to return this coming week.
“In terms of Draymond, at the time we were having those conversations, certainly from my standpoint, they’re private,” Silver said. “That’s his right if he chooses to make them public. There was certainly no agreement we had that everything was private. But I’ll leave it to him to comment on what we discussed. I certainly would be speaking up if he were saying something that wasn’t consistent with our discussions.
“I would just conclude by saying I’m pleased he’s close to being back, and my sense is that he used his time away from the floor very productively.”
Celtics fans will get their first chance to see Victor Wembanyama in person Wednesday when the Spurs come to TD Garden. And there’s increased talk about this year’s No. 1 prospect, Alexandre Sarr, a 7-foot-1-inch Frenchman who plays professionally in Australia. He is the brother of former Kentucky big man Olivier Sarr, who is on a twoway contract with the Thunder.
Silver stressed to the French media at the NBA’s Paris Games to resist putting too much pressure on the younger Sarr as the second coming behind countryman Wembanyama.
“We’re particularly now talking about the elite players, that discipline that’s required because, just like all other young people, they’re distracted potentially by social media,” Silver said. “But once they’re starting to get that type of global attention — Alexandre is a perfect example. Even before he comes into the NBA, it’s very easy to no longer be in the present and to be focused on being the very best player you can.
“That’s one thing that I think where Victor has been a fantastic example to other young players. With all this pressure on him, with the global attention on him, it just seems watching even his progress from — I actually first met him when we were here for our game last year. Then spending time with him around the draft and his family, and then seeing him come into the league, I’ve noticed already the changes in his physique, the changes in his mental approach to the game. Again, I’m sure the losses haven’t been easy on him, but my sense is he’s just determined to get better every single day.”
Sarr is likely the No. 1 overall pick, but there is no guarantee the hype will be close to Wembanyama.
“I remember last year when we were getting questions about Victor, and I think my response was that I didn’t want to jinx him in terms of even raising expectations further,” Silver said. “But I’d say Alexandre, again, I saw that same mock draft on ESPN, and in other mock drafts he and two other French players have been floating around the top five in those drafts. I’m very encouraged.
“I would say also to him: Don’t get distracted by mock drafts. And at the end of the day, same thing I’ve said to many players since I’ve been in this position on draft day: Just focus on making the league. As we all know, while Victor, of course, was the first pick, there’s great stories — Giannis Antetokounmpo is another one, he was 15th in the draft. [Green] was a second-round pick in the NBA Draft.
“So there’s amazing success stories of players who were drafted a little bit lower and came in even more determined players — in the second round and even some undrafted players. To me, things like precisely what position you’re drafted at is essentially out of your control, but what’s in your control is your focus on the game.”
Meanwhile, LeBron James remains a top-10 player at age 39, despite the Lakers’ issues. He’s an example of the dedication and — good health fortune — needed to remain relevant in a league filled with players born this millennium.
“Now jump ahead to somebody like LeBron James. Think about that. That’s 20 years later and still playing at a high level,” Silver said. “I think, as sports science continues to improve, these players can come into this league and have such long careers. They’ve just got to stay present and continue to work hard, their body, their mind, and look what fantastic opportunities are available globally for them.”
Layups
For those looking for an emotional Marcus Smart return Feb. 4 at TD Garden, there could be a delay. Smart’s injury-plagued season continued when he was diagnosed with ligament damage in his finger that will cost him at least six weeks. Smart was injured Tuesday in the win over the Mavericks, Memphis’s first game since it was announced that superstar Ja Morant would miss the rest of the season after shoulder surgery. The Grizzlies have had a difficult season, beginning with season-ending knee surgery for Steven Adams. Brandon Clarke has not returned from last season’s torn Achilles’. With Smart and Morant on the shelf, the Grizzlies are likely to focus on the draft and perhaps landing a lottery pick. Memphis has never been a free agent destination, so the Grizzlies have to cultivate their draft picks, as they did with Morant, Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Clarke. The Grizzlies have one expiring contract they could move; the $14 million deal of Luke Kennard, who has a team option for next season. Don’t be surprised if he’s made available as the Grizzlies look to build assets, develop younger players, and prepare for next season when they’ll hopefully be healthy . . . The Clippers wanted Kawhi Leonard to be their cornerstone player entering their new arena next fall and signed him to a contract extension. Leonard gave up his player option and signed a three-year, $152 million contract. The club is also working on an extension with Paul George, who is enjoying an All-Star-caliber season and has a player option this summer. The Clippers have been one of the more impressive teams for the past month after they adjusted to the acquisition of James Harden . . . Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, third in Eastern Conference frontcourt voting with more than 2.9 million votes, is a near lock to start his fourth All-Star Game. Miami’s Jimmy Butler is fourth with just over 1 million votes. Celtics forward Jaylen Brown is fifth with 749,000 votes. The NBA will return to the East-West format and the top three frontcourt and top two backcourt players voted in will comprise the starting five.