The Varsity Windhorst’s NBA State of Play
Dec 17, 2025
Brian Windhorst, an ESPN NBA reporter and expert on the league, joins the discussion to explore the NBA's future. He praises the NBA Cup while addressing its execution challenges and the need for a more engaging All-Star Weekend. Windhorst delves into the league's ambitions for international expansion, though he expresses skepticism about the viability of NBA Europe. He highlights the impressive talent on the court today, sharing insights on the impact of players like Nikola Jokic and the struggles for smaller markets like the Wizards.
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NBA Cup Is Valuable But Needs Better Execution
- The NBA Cup is a smart creation that gives the league an extra property and has already attracted a 10-year Amazon rights deal.
- Execution needs improvement, especially scheduling and calendar placement to attract casual fans.
Combine Cup And All-Star Into One Weekend
- Combine the NBA Cup and All-Star Weekend into one weekend between the conference finals and the Super Bowl to capture a dead football weekend.
- Play semifinals at team sites and hold a single neutral-site final near All-Star events to increase fan interest and logistics.
All-Star Weekend Has Become Too Complicated
- The All-Star Weekend has become overly complicated with formats fans and even insiders can't easily explain.
- Windhorst recommends simplifying back to East vs. West and a real 48-minute competitive game to restore meaning.