NBA 2024 In-Season Tournament Challenge - Yo Mama Said Knock You Out Again! (1 Viewer)

[Yo Mama]

Time to get psyched for the biggest and greatest basketball tournament in sporting history!

Last year was a fun way to learn about this crazy new tourney and track the process, so we’re bringing the band back together!



We will have two stages and two winners for bragging rights:


Group Play

• Pick how many games each team will win in the group stages (played Tuesdays and Fridays from 11/12-12/3)
• We will be ranking entrants on a “closest to the pin” basis depending on how far away picks are from their actual results. For example, let’s say I predict Phoenix will win 3 of their 4 group play games. If they win 3 games I get 0 points, if they win 4 or 2 games I get 1 point, if they win 1 game I get 2 points, and if they win 0 games I get 3 points. I’ll add up all the points for each entry for all 30 teams and whoever has the lowest amount of points wins.

Knockout Tournament

• Pick who you think will make the quarterfinals, semifinals, finals, and who will be the champion (see NBA rules in the next post for who makes the knockout tourney)
• You get 1 point for a correct quarterfinal prediction (doesn’t matter if they are group winner versus wildcard for scoring), 2 points for a correct semifinal prediction, 4 points for a correct finalist prediction, and 8 points for picking the correct champion – most points wins

I set up a google worksheet for everyone to input their picks and to track the progress. Please don’t change anyone else’s picks. I will lock down the form on Monday 11/11 at 8pm Pacific for no additional edits (and I will save an offline version to make sure there are no shenanigans after games start). Games start Tuesday 11/12. Included in the google workbook will be the NBA rules, group play groupings, and group play matchups.

GOOGLE SHEET

Join in the fun now!


Anals of History
2023 group stage winner - @scoobus
2023 knockout winner - @scoobus

 

[Yo Mama]

@caustic @dunfee555 @nysfl2 @Jayrod @Dr. Octopus @BassNBrew @Frostillicus @the moops @Eephus @scoobus @Desert_Power @AAABatteries

 

[Yo Mama]

@Instinctive @Eephus @the moops @Mister CIA @Frostillicus @Jayrod @Kev4029 @scoobus
@Chemical X @dunfee555 @trader jake @PIK95 @nysfl2 @Corporation @thecatch @Desert_Power @caustic @Dr. Octopus @Juxtatarot @BassNBrew @AAABatteries

 

[Instinctive]

blackdot

 

[scoobus]

Can we get the fact that I was the inaugural champion in the first post?

 

[Zow]

I'm in (and a bit hurt you didn't @ me).

 

[Yo Mama]

I'm in (and a bit hurt you didn't @ me).

Did you do it last year?

 

[Zow]

I'm in (and a bit hurt you didn't @ me).

Did you do it last year?

No. Just the playoff one so I was mostly joking.

 

[Yo Mama]

Can we get the fact that I was the inaugural champion in the first post?

Added

 

[Yo Mama]

I'm in (and a bit hurt you didn't @ me).

Did you do it last year?

No. Just the playoff one so I was mostly joking.

Oh yeah should have looked at that one too

 

[Eephus]

Watch out. This year I know what I'm doing

 

[Yo Mama]

Bumpty bump

Don’t forget group games start Tuesday 11/12. Get you picks in by 11/11.

 

[scoobus]

In.

 

[Eephus]

Watch out. This year I know what I'm doing

I may have spoken too soon. I don't know what I'm doing.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

In and entered

 

[Eephus]

I read articles about the injuries to Durant, Morant and Zion; none of them mentioned the potential impact on their teams' In-Season Tournament prospects.

 

[scoobus]

I read articles about the injuries to Durant, Morant and Zion; none of them mentioned the potential impact on their teams' In-Season Tournament prospects.

Good bump, may need to change some things.

 

[Yo Mama]

I read articles about the injuries to Durant, Morant and Zion; none of them mentioned the potential impact on their teams' In-Season Tournament prospects.

That was my first thought - worst possible time of the year for those injuries to miss the start of the most prestigious event in all of sports.

 

[Eephus]

I read articles about the injuries to Durant, Morant and Zion; none of them mentioned the potential impact on their teams' In-Season Tournament prospects.

That was my first thought - worst possible time of the year for those injuries to miss the start of the most prestigious event in all of sports.

You work a lifetime for this moment

 

[Yo Mama]

Happy NBA Cup Eve everyone!!!

Games start tomorrow, so get your picks in today. Should be easy with everyone hurt right now.

 

[Yo Mama]

Last chance before I lock things down later tonight (I’ll lock things down 10pm pacific tonight)

 

[Yo Mama]

I was lazy last night - you can still make changes until noon pacific today.

 

[Desert_Power]

I was lazy last night - you can still make changes until noon pacific today.

I can't figure out how to fill out this Google Sheet on my phone. Cool if I send you a sheet via email as long as it is pre-tip tonight?

 

[Yo Mama]

I was lazy last night - you can still make changes until noon pacific today.

I can't figure out how to fill out this Google Sheet on my phone. Cool if I send you a sheet via email as long as it is pre-tip tonight?

Sure, or you can PM me your picks

 

[the moops]

In

 

[Long Ball Larry]

Oops, I just entered picks, but I guess it was technically past the deadline

 

[Yo Mama]

Oops, I just entered picks, but I guess it was technically past the deadline

It’s ok. The more the merrier.

 

[Yo Mama]

Game Day Beeches!!

4pm - Charlotte vs Orlando - East A
4pm - Miami vs Detroit - East B
4pm - Atlanta vs Boston - East C
4:30pm - New York vs Philly - East A
5pm - Toronto vs Milwaukee - East B
6pm - Phoenix vs Utah - West B
7pm - Minnesota vs Portland - West A
7pm - Dallas vs Golden State - West C

 

[Zow]

I guess I unintentionally and very unfortunately just became a Sixers fan.

 

[Yo Mama]

Oh, and it’s time for some poor sportsmanship lectures in the name of NBA Cup point differential.

Run it up

 

[Mister CIA]

I missed the cutoff. That's alright, I was just going to copy and paste Scoobus effort, but make the Spurs the champ ... a little thing I like to call win-win.

 

[Yo Mama]

I missed the cutoff. That's alright, I was going to copy and paste Scoobus effort, but make the Spurs the champ ... a little thing I like to call win-win.

If you pm me your picks soon I can get them in the spreadsheet

 

[Mister CIA]

I missed the cutoff. That's alright, I was going to copy and paste Scoobus effort, but make the Spurs the champ ... a little thing I like to call win-win.

If you pm me your picks soon I can get them in the spreadsheet

Thanks, but I really don't have a good take on any of this. And I'm really lazy too. I appreciate it.

 

[Yo Mama]

I missed the cutoff. That's alright, I was going to copy and paste Scoobus effort, but make the Spurs the champ ... a little thing I like to call win-win.

If you pm me your picks soon I can get them in the spreadsheet

Thanks, but I really don't have a good take on any of this. And I'm really lazy too. I appreciate it.

None of us know what we’re doing here, especially @the moops

 

[Yo Mama]

Maybe @scoobus knows what he’s doing - he lives for this.

 

[Yo Mama]

NBA decided to use new basketballs for the Cup - players usually love that. Expect a bunch of crappy shooting.

 

[scoobus]

Maybe @scoobus knows what he’s doing - he lives for this.

The best tournament in all of sports.

Unless I lose this year, then it's a dumb money-grab gimmick.

 

[the moops]

I missed the cutoff. That's alright, I was going to copy and paste Scoobus effort, but make the Spurs the champ ... a little thing I like to call win-win.

If you pm me your picks soon I can get them in the spreadsheet

Thanks, but I really don't have a good take on any of this. And I'm really lazy too. I appreciate it.

None of us know what we’re doing here, especially @the moops

I agree

 

[Yo Mama]

Looks like I already missed my Portland win total.

 

[Yo Mama]

Game Day #2!!

Big second night of action, with the largest amount of NBA Cup games in one night for the whole tournament. Almost every team plays tonight.

4pm - Philly vs Orlando - East A
4pm - Miami vs Indiana - East B
4pm - Detroit vs Toronto - East B
4:30pm - Brooklyn vs New York - East A
4:30pm - Washington vs Atlanta - East C
4:30pm - Chicago vs Cleveland - East C
4:30pm - Lakers vs San Antonio - West B
5pm - Clippers vs Houston - West A
5pm - Phoenix vs OKC - West B
5pm - Denver vs New Orleans - West C
7pm - Minnesota vs Sacramento - West A
7pm - Memphis vs Golden State - West C

 

[Yo Mama]

OK I’m bored, so it’s time for some way too early NBA Cup knockout round matchups using the current group standings. If the college football playoff committee can put out brackets weeks before they need to, why can’t I?

West Bracket
#1 - West C - Golden State (2-0, +8)
#2 - West A - Houston (1-0, +21)
#3 - West B - Oklahoma City (1-0, +16)
#4 - Wild Card - Portland (1-0, +14)

East Bracket
#1 - East A - Orlando (2-0, +37)
#2 - East C - Atlanta (2-0, +13)
#3 - East B - Detroit (2-0, +6)
#4 - Wild Card - New York (2-0, +14)

Just like everyone predicted.

 

[Yo Mama]

Wish I would have known Jokic was going to miss all the NBA Cup games when I made my picks.

Also wish I wouldn’t have assumed Embiid coming back was going to be a good thing for Sixers chances.

 

[Zow]

Wish I would have known Jokic was going to miss all the NBA Cup games when I made my picks.

Also wish I wouldn’t have assumed Embiid coming back was going to be a good thing for Sixers chances.

You're telling me... I thought with his return they'd aggress back to the mean for their win total and get into the cup.

 

[the moops]

Am I winning?

 

[Yo Mama]

Game Night #3

We’ll be almost half way through the group stage after tonight, with most teams having played two games. Big headliner event in the earliest game.

4pm - Cleveland vs Boston - East C
4:30pm - Charlotte vs Brooklyn - East A
5pm - Denver vs Memphis - West C
5:30pm - New Orleans vs Dallas - West C
6:30pm - OKC vs San Antonio - West B
7:30pm - Utah vs Lakers - West B

 

[Yo Mama]

Am I winning?

You bet

 

[Yo Mama]

We’re about half way through the group stage games, so let’s have a look at the various group situations.

WEST A
Houston - 1-0, +21
Portland - 1-0, +14
Minnesota - 1-1, -10
Sacramento - 0-1, -4
Clippers - 0-1, -21

Hou - Por, @Min, @Sac
Por - @Hou, Sac, @LA
Min - Hou, LA
Sac - @LA, @Por, Hou
LA - Sac, @Min, Por

Too early to make any calls here, with 4 teams having only played 1 game so far. Everyone is still in this - could be a crazy finish in this group.

 

[Yo Mama]

WEST B
Lakers - 2-0, +11
San Antonio - 1-1, +1
OKC - 1-1, +10
Phoenix - 1-1, -8
Utah - 0-2, -14

LA - @Pho, OKC
SA - @Uta, @Pho
OKC - @LA, Uta
Pho - LA, SA
Uta - SA, @OKC

Lakers in the early lead here, but their two highest ranked teams are still to come, and I wish they could have held on to their bigger lead vs Utah last night. Only Utah looks out of it so far. I’ve got SA ahead of OKC right now due to head to head results.

 

[Yo Mama]

WEST C
Golden St - 2-0, +8
Dallas - 1-1, +38
New Orleans - 1-1, -34
Denver - 1-1, +5
Memphis - 0-2, -17

GS - @NO, @Den
Dal - @Den, Mem
NO - GS, @Mem
Den - Dal, GS
Mem - NO, @Dal

New Orleans is ahead of Denver for now due to their head to head win, but their big loss vs Dallas will hurt their chances in this group. Dallas would need to win out and could still not win the group unless GS loses both remaining games (unless there is a 3-way tie at 3-1). Denver needs to win out to win the group. We’ll know a lot more here on Friday.

I’ll get to the East after lunch.

 

[Yo Mama]

EAST A
Orlando - 2-0, +37
New York - 2-0, +14
Brooklyn - 1-1, -1
Philadelphia - 0-2, -24
Charlotte - 0-2, -26

Orl - @brk, @NY
NY - @cha, Orl
Brk - @PHI, Orl
Phi - Brk, @cha
Cha - NY, Phi

Barring any upsets, the Orl/NY game on the last night will determine the group winner. Philly and Charlotte are knocked out (one of Orl/NY will have at least 3 wins).