I have a suggestion for Adam Silver: If you want an in-season tournament, make it an Open. The U.S. Open Cup in soccer is the model, open to minor leagues, semi-pro teams, any organized team. It is the oldest soccer tournament in the U.S. and is a major trophy, comparable to the English FA Cup. The sub-MLS teams play in knockout qualifying rounds to meet one of all MLS teams. Win and advance. An NBA Open would be...open to D-league teams, AAU teams, any teams that survive qualification. It'd be a chance to showcase the "hidden gems" and grow the game by bringing the best NBA teams to small cities. Yes, the Golden State "Warriors" have to play in Rapid City against the "Thrillers."

I experienced the U.S. Open Cup once. I was a Miami "Fusion" fan. We played the Mid-Michigan "Bucks" in wherever Mid-Michigan is. I fucking listened to the game on the radio. I have never listened to a soccer game on the radio before or since. It would have been humiliating had a Major League Soccer team lost to the Mid-Michigan "Bucks." That's the hook! That's why you tune in.  It's like a two-seed from the ACC losing to a 15-seed from the Mid-American conference. Or the Dream Team getting beaten by Angola. Imagine the headlines: "Warriors Stunned by Rapid City".  How's it goin' Adam, you good?