The Athletic NBA Daily NBA Cup Final Preview
Dec 16, 2025
James Edwards, Knicks reporter for The Athletic, analyzes the Knicks' chances in the NBA Cup, discussing team strategy and the impact of their heavy travel. He shares insights on the team's offensive tweaks under coach Mike Brown. Jared Weiss, covering the Spurs, highlights Victor Wembanyama's development and the team's evolving identity. They debate the Cup's value and whether it enhances the season or overshadows regular play, while also exploring the strengths and weaknesses of both teams heading into the final.
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Cup Reveals Regular Season Fatigue
- The NBA Cup exists because the league thinks it needs a spotlighted event to boost regular-season interest.
- Hosts argue shortening the 82-game schedule and using the Cup as a preseason tournament would increase game value and player freshness.
Shorten Season, Use Cup As Kickoff
- Shorten the regular season and repurpose the Cup as a preseason tournament to create meaningful games.
- Start the official season at Christmas after a condensed, competitive Cup and a balanced 58-game schedule.
Cup Adds Travel Strain
- The Cup adds travel and scheduling strain, especially for teams that had international preseason trips.
- James Edwards highlights travel piling up for the Knicks with back-to-back games immediately after the Cup.