Basketball instills values such as respect and empathy. Yes, players fight viciously in the conquest to win the game. There is, however, an unspoken rule to show mercy. We, as fans, have witnessed it numerous times. When the outcome of the game appears to be determined, the winning team will run out the clock. It’s a sign of respect for the opposition, who put up a good fight. This precise norm is currently being broken; rather, NBA stars are being forced to do so due to the in-season tournament.

Because the concept of point differential is a qualifying condition, teams are vying for points until the final whistle. Then it makes no difference if the team is up by 25 points with a minute to go; a tournament game will have an attempt all the way to the conclusion. Some players have expressed their dissatisfaction with these developments. The Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum believes that breaking a century-long tradition because of a tournament rule is insulting to the challenger.

“I’m not a huge fan of the point differential idea… Last Friday, when the game was already finished and the lads were still attempting to score, it’s all about respecting the game and your opponents,” he told the media.

Devin Booker, another outstanding young shooting guard in the NBA, stated that he would not have attempted a last-second three-pointer if the point-differential rule had not been in effect. I’m sure other players feel guilty when they score despite a massive lead, or when opponents try to score late in games to lessen the point gap. It may feel strange, improper, or even rude, as Tatum described it, but it is required. Let’s have a look at how.

Jayson Tatum and Devin Booker are not mistaken in their feelings

Prior to the NBA In-Season tournament, the most important unwritten rule was to run out the final possession when your team was ahead. The celebrities would rest for the final quarter as a precautionary measure to avoid injury. Reserves would be able to enter the NBA spotlight and maybe earn a spot in the rotation. If the lead remains enormous, the possession will constantly be dribbled out while remaining still just beyond the half.

Instead of every possession, the game has gotten more particular in tournament games. When it comes to qualifying for the following round, every point counts. This means that even when the game is over, teams cannot take their foot off the throttle. Star players who would typically rest would remain on the floor in order to extend the league and gain as large of a differential as possible in order to assure their safety. That is the attitude fostered by the In-Season tournament.

One could claim that it violates the moral laws of basketball. Where is the acknowledgement of the opponent who fought hard all night? Why would you want to kick someone who is already down? All of these questions cause you to doubt your own sanity. Basketball would never be so harsh under any other conditions. Jayson Tatum and the Celtics must go against their own ideals in order to give themselves the best opportunity of winning.

However, no matter how horrible it appears to pile on the suffering or play till the very last second, it matters. Tatum and Devin Booker, for example, may take a back seat and allow their disciplines win. However, with monetary awards at risk, qualifying for the knockouts might make a significant difference for lesser-known NBA players. And in order to progress, they must adapt.

In the In-Season tournament, everything is fair

So far, only the Los Angeles Lakers and the Indiana Pacers have qualified for the knockout rounds. Both survived the group stage and are eligible for a minimum reward of $50,000. The remaining six berths, however, are still up for grabs. And it’s very certainly going to be a game of numbers to see who can earn a wild card for the prize.

Consider the New Orleans Pelicans to demonstrate the importance of point differential. They are the current leaders of their group, having won three of their four tournament games. The only club that can match their record is the Houston Rockets, who will go 3-1 if they beat the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday. To begin with, if the Rockets defeat the Mavericks, they will win the group owing to their higher point difference. Furthermore, the Pelicans will not be competing for a wildcard slot. They have a +29 difference, while the Phoenix Suns have a +34 differential.

The Suns held a comfortable lead in garbage time against the Memphis Grizzlies. There was no reason for Devin Booker to be out in public. Nonetheless, his disputed three at the end, as well as his scoring nine of the final twelve points, helped Phoenix win by 21, increasing their margin to +34. The Suns might not be feeling as secure right now if it weren’t for Booker’s last-second triple. Even so, the Suns are in risk of missing out on the knockout rounds because several teams still have a game in hand.

In such circumstances, we cannot say that scoring in the end is disrespectful because it is important. In terms of qualification, one mid-range jumper, dunk, or insignificant three-pointer in a random group game might possibly carry the weight of a playoff game-winner. After all, a $500,000 cash prize is on the line.