Magic head coach Steve Clifford likes the NBA play-in tournament format that we’ll all get to enjoy next week. Via the Orlando Sentinel:
The tournament has drawn its share of critics, from Mavericks owner Mark Cuban to Lakers All-Star LeBron James.
Magic coach Steve Clifford, on the other hand, thinks the play-in format is a good thing.
“I think you guys know I’m a big sports fan, and probably a little bit more of a purist than a lot of people, and I remember when baseball went to a wild card and I thought it was going to be terrible and it ended up being a great thing for baseball,” Clifford said. “It [play-in tournament] keeps more teams playing meaningful games late in the year, and just like baseball I believe that Tuesday night and Thursday night there’s going to be great interest in our league. So I’m interested to see how people like it, but from what I’ve seen I think it’s a very good idea.”
The play-in tournament starts next week.