The success or failure of the NBA Cup, as a whole, is a matter of debate. It's only two years old. Now isn't the time for sweeping conclusions about things like TV ratings or overall fan support. The NBA is still tinkering with the format.

The whole idea of the NBA Cup was to generate fervor. Manufacture magnitude. The NBA is desperately trying to curb falling ratings and adjust to the seismic shift in viewership. So, “not-terrible” isn’t satiating.

Its inauthenticity is a part of the charm. The city works as one of the biggest tourist attractions in the world because there’s real substance behind the contrived facade it presents. In many ways,