Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass wanted to support the Los Angeles Lakers for the season they had after a 4-1 first-round exit to the Denver Nuggets. Unfortunately, Bass did so by praising the Lakers' In-Season Tournament win instead, prompting fans ire and Bass' team deleting the tweet.
"Tough season, but at least we won the in-season tournament," Bass said. "Proud of our team, @Lakers."
The Lakers won the inaugural In-Season Tournament in November 2023, with the NBA forcing the franchise to raise a banner for the win as well. The banner celebration for the win did not go over well with fans and NBA legends, as the In-Season Tournament is yet to find the widespread acceptance that mid-season cup tournaments have in soccer or European basketball.
Winning the In-Season Tournament was an achievement, but it doesn't make up for failing to perform in the playoffs. The NBA will consider the tournament a success for the objectively competitive basketball we saw, but the perception will take longer to change.
Trae Young Defended The Lakers' In-Season Tournament Success
The Lakers winning the In-Season Tournament didn't impress fans or critics at the time in November, with the tournament feeling like a minuscule achievement. However, Hawks point guard Trae Young had explained why the Lakers winning the tournament was a good thing and why it was a great success.
"Having the Lakers win it all is always going to be great for the league, that's a big brand. Them winning the first one is great for the In-Season Tournament from a competitive aspect. You can tell there's a difference in intensity level from those games to regular season games. The league did a great job of making it a cool vibe and getting people interested in it."
Young makes a very good point, as the Lakers beat out a competitive field of teams to lift the trophy. While it's not the same as a deep playoff run, it should be appreciated as a silver lining in an otherwise disappointing season. Over time, the tournament will garner respect by being a permanent fixture of the NBA calendar.
If teams are as competitive about the tournament they were this season in the future, it's bound to get more fan support. It's just a question of if the quality will sustain itself with the players' incentive being just $500,000.
People have suggested adding additional stakes to the tournament like a guaranteed Play-In spot, but that would devalue late-season regular-season battles greatly. Maybe there's a solution that can be found as the tournament continues, but guaranteeing a post-season reward for a competition in November seems unfair.
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