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Feedback Loop: The game was good, but most of you didn’t care
Before we get to the bad news, let’s start with some props: Last night’s NBA Cup final was fantastic. A 124-113 comeback win for the Knicks over the Spurs, in a game that felt like a playoff matchup — and could even be a finals preview. This is, to be clear, a marked improvement over the December basketball we’ve seen in years past from the NBA.
New York (18-7), particularly, looks like a full-blown contender under new coach Mike Brown. Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby had 25 and 28 points last night. Jordan Clarkson microwaved a run in the second half, hitting three 3-pointers. Victor Wembanyama finished -18 against this defense. It’s a great result for Knicks fans.
But, again: Did we care? Judging by the results of yesterday’s poll, the resounding answer from more than 17,000 of you was no:
Sixty percent of you care none for this event the NBA has labored to make relevant. A few points on the actual issues at hand here:
Top of mind, the Cup is a drain on teams, as John Hollinger wrote earlier this month. The Cup has only added to the frantic pace of the early season, and some teams are already gassed before 2026 even begins. John’s story touched a nerve and even prompted a response from the NBA. It’s worth a read.
There is a level of artifice here not found in those European soccer competitions the league is hoping to emulate. There, teams from multiple leagues play against each other, providing something completely new to viewers. Here, NBA teams are playing … other NBA teams. Marcus Thompson II made a great suggestion: Maybe the NBA should open this up to the world. I’m all for it.
It’s funny, I came into this topic yesterday agreeing with the masses. It is difficult to really invest in the NBA Cup emotionally for the parameters outlined here and in yesterday’s newsletter. And yet this overwhelming response has me on the defensive — the NBA is trying something, at least. Players are clearly motivated, though paying them more money on top of the money they’re already earning to play these same regular-season games adds to the aforementioned artifice. But they’re trying, and that counts.
I went to The Bounce’s Zach Harper for help:
“Ultimately, I think the Cup is good. Not everybody is bought in. Not everybody takes it seriously. The courts look dumb. But it does add something missing for early interest/competition in a long season … once we get to the final couple of games. This is likely to stick around, and after years and years of this, younger generations will care enough to make it a thing. That’s what the purpose of this is. Connecting with future fans. That’s why it’s valuable. That and winning $500,000.”
Congrats to the Knicks for winning the Cup title and its prize money. I hope we care more next year. Let’s keep moving:
News to Know
WNBA, players still far apart
By a factor of two, to be exact. Sources told The Athletic’s Ben Pickman the players’ latest proposal to the league amid CBA talks asks for 30 percent of total league and team revenue to go to the players, while the league’s latest offering has that number at under 15 percent. The current collective bargaining agreement ends Jan. 9, and there’s already worry about the upcoming season. The full story is worth a read.
More news
After fierce backlash, FIFA will make $60 World Cup tickets available to about 1,000 fans per game. Not enough, in my opinion, but it’s a start.
Luis Suárez, 38, is finalizing a deal to re-sign with Inter Miami for next season. Read our full report.
Also in NBA news: Commissioner Adam Silver said the league will decide on possible expansion in 2026, with the focus on Seattle and Las Vegas.
Jim Harbaugh said he texted Sherrone Moore after the ex-Michigan coach’s firing and arrest. Read Harbaugh’s full comments.
North Texas QB Drew Mestemaker is expected to enter the transfer portal after his coach left for Oklahoma State. He’s going to make a lot of money.
Former Alabama coach Nick Saban is now a minority owner of the Nashville Predators.
A new travel ban imposed by President Donald Trump could keep fans from Senegal and the Ivory Coast from attending the World Cup. Read more.
A professional darts player lost at the World Darts Championship … and then punched a table until his hand was bloody. Full backstory here.
What to Watch
📺 NCAAF: Old Dominion vs. South Florida
6 p.m. ET on ESPN
Both of these teams are 9-3 and led by dual-threat quarterbacks who both lead their teams in passing and rushing yards this year. The Bulls are of particular interest in this StaffDNA Cure Bowl, a team coached by new Auburn head man Alex Golesh and ready for Ohio State’s Brian Hartline. Louisiana and Delaware play the nightcap in the 68 Ventures Bowl.
📺 NHL: Devils at Golden Knights
10 p.m. ET on TNT/HBO Max
New Jersey (18-14-1) is fighting in a crowded Metropolitan division while Las Vegas (16-6-9) leads the Pacific, but the two teams are just four points apart in the standings. New Jersey is still figuring out its path forward after missing out on Quinn Hughes.
Get tickets to games like these here.
Pulse Picks
Andrew Marchand crowned his second annual “Golden Clickers,” his winners and losers of the year in sports media, this morning. See his picks.
At heart, Carson Carels is a 17-year-old farm boy who comes from a long line of them. He also happens to be the NHL’s hottest draft prospect right now.
John Hollinger returns with the next NBA topic we’ll be discussing at length: the trade deadline. He picked his All-Deadline Team here.
What would a national title mean for every College Football Playoff team? Will Leitch had fun with this.
I think mom will be OK with this dinner distraction: Larry Holder has the story of how a dad and his 13-year-old sons took over supper with a video that landed them the most expensive Shohei Ohtani card to exist. Incredible stuff.
A Warriors fan emailed team owner Joe Lacob, excoriating him for Golden State’s poor start to the season. He didn’t expect Lacob to respond.
Patrick Mahomes and Micah Parsons both tore their ACLs last weekend. Mike Jones says that’s enough evidence to abandon the thought of an 18th game. I agree, but I don’t know if the league will listen.
Most-clicked in the newsletter yesterday: The NBA Cup poll.
Most-read on the website yesterday: NFL Week 16 Power Rankings.
📫 That’s all for now! Say hello at thepulse@theathletic.com, and check out our other newsletters.