‘Random’ NBA Cup Draw Resumes Lakers vs Mavs Rivalry has Fans Fuming: “Blatant and Undeniable Rigging”

Adam Silver is looking to make the NBA Cup even more exciting next season with a random draw based on last year's standings.

‘Random’ NBA Cup Draw Resumes Lakers vs Mavs Rivalry has Fans Fuming: “Blatant and Undeniable Rigging”

Lakers vs Mavs headline 2025 NBA Cup Group B (Image via FirstSportz)

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When Adam Silver started the NBA Cup, his goal was to bring in competitiveness mid-season. LeBron James and his Lakers managed to do that the 1st time. However, this past season was a dud, as small market teams dominated the Championship game.

When small market teams dominated the NBA Finals, Silver gave a bizarre explanation suggesting small market teams in other sports are hailed, whereas his league does not get the same reaction from either fans or the media.

It seems the backlash from that, and the substandard ratings of the 2024 NBA Cup has forced the league to switch things around. In light of all the recent developments of the past few months, the league decided to make things more random, with a Cup draw.

They divided the two conferences into 3 groups of five teams each. The Eastern Conference groups have no surprises. For instance, a couple of months before, East B would look like a terrific lineup with the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers set to battle against two upstart playoff teams.

However, Jayson Tatum‘s injury makes that group almost as a battle of the best. The other two East groups scream the same, as competition will reveal who really comes out on top. However, the West is not the same.

For instance, in Group A, the league brought back the 2 West Finalists from last season. This resumes their rivalry between the two young teams. The Wolves would want to get one back at the newly crowned NBA champions.

Then there is Group C, where it is clear that the Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors rivalry will continue. Last but not the least, Group B features the Los Angeles Lakers vs. the Dallas Mavericks.

Fans shake their heads as NBA again fixes matchups

To the casual fan, this might seem as if the draw has brought together a good mix of stellar playoff teams against up-and-coming squads. However, when die-hard fans look closer, it becomes evident that the West Groups have been intentionally created to resume rivalries.

The league wants the excitement back in the NBA Cup, and fans believe that is what drove them to create these groups. Fans believe the league is on a rigging spree, something which started with the Luka Doncic trade.

Then for the Mavericks to win the Draft lottery, convinced everyone that the NBA is intentionally creating new rivalries to boost ratings. Check out examples of those social media reactions below.

If the NBA has indeed created these groups intentionally, it should bring the interest back into the NBA Cup. On the other hand, the league also could end up having a good battle amongst top teams in the Finals.

NBA Cup Finals to resume in Las Vegas

Las Vegas seems to have become a major point of interest for the NBA. The NBA Cup Semifinals and Finals have been taking place at the T-Mobile Arena for the past 2 seasons, and is most likely returning there.

Milwaukee Bucks won the 2024 NBA Cup
Milwaukee Bucks won the 2024 NBA Cup (Image via Open Source/X)

Being in Vegas, the league can create not just a neutral site for all teams to fight for the $500K cash prize, but also have fans fly in from all corners of the country. The league hopes this season too, they will be able to draw enough fans to watch these games.

Fans will also be able to see Charles Barkley and his Inside the NBA crew appear officially as part of ESPN’s broadcast. Considering how he has trolled the network in the past, it should be funny to watch him speak with an ESPN microphone in his hands.

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