Doc Rivers is right, the NBA Cup is a success

On Tuesday, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Milwaukee Bucks faced off in the final of the 2024 NBA Cup. The Bucks won, 97-81, and became just the second team to secure the $500K cash prize for each member of the roster. 

In just two seasons, the NBA Cup has quickly become a staple of the NBA season. It brings a new level of competitiveness during the dullest part of a long and arduous 82-game run. The colorful courts provide talking points for fans who either love or loathe them. Most importantly, these games have a playoff feel, with every player fighting for the extra payday. 

Speaking on ESPN's "NBA Today" ahead of Tuesday's game, Bucks head coach Doc Rivers explained why the tournament has been a success since its implementation.

"There (are) things you learn. I just can't tell you what they are, but you don't get to get this experience during the regular season," Rivers told ESPN's Malika Andrews. "This will help us, this will help Oklahoma, Atlanta, Houston... everybody that was here it's going to help us later...This cup, I liked it last year as a broadcaster, I love it more as a coach. I think it's good for our league."

Rivers has been around the NBA long enough to know what is and isn't working. He's seen enough basketball to understand that teams are upping their level during NBA Cup games. And with each game (outside of the final) counting toward regular-season records, nobody wants to lose. 

There's another reason the league is winning, outside of the potential ratings boost and the quality of basketball. Developing teams are getting a taste of tournament-style basketball. They have another avenue to gain experience in playing under increased pressure and against increased physicality. It might not be playoff basketball, but it's the closest thing you'll get. 

Perhaps that's why Rivers named the Atlanta Hawks and Houston Rockets. Sure, they made deep runs. But they're also rebuilding teams that can use the experience to take another step forward in their collective development. 

Regardless of how many people ended up tuning into Tuesday's game, the NBA Cup has been a success. There's a reason the NBA ran it back this season. And there's a reason it quickly found a sponsor for the tournament. 

Now, teams and fans can begin looking forward to the 2025 run, where another young roster could make waves, just like the Indiana Pacers did last season and the Rockets and Hawks did this time around.