Do Emirates NBA Cup games matter? Why it counts and how it works NBC Chicago [Video]

The NBA season may have just started, but in just a few weeks, the league will name an MVP, a team will receive a trophy, and a banner will be raised to the rafters.

There will also be some very colorful courts.

The league will begin the second edition of its began its in-season tournament on Nov. 12, with all 30 teams having an opportunity to win the Emirates Cup and cash prizes. 

The addition of the tournament drew mixed reactions from fans on social media when the league officially unveiled the format last season, with the Los Angeles Lakers winning the inaugural cup.

— NBA (@NBA) December 19, 2023

“This is a concept that has been rumbling around the league office for about 15 years,” Adam Silver told reporters at the time. “It’s not a new concept in sports. For those that follow particularly international soccer, it’s a long tradition of having in-season tournaments…so …