The NBA dropped its highly anticipated 2023-24 schedule on Thursday, providing basketball fans with a glimpse into the upcoming season. Spanning from Lakers-Nuggets on October 24 to the final day of the regular season on April 14, the schedule is packed with exciting matchups and intriguing storylines. From Christmas games to potential revenge contests, there is no shortage of excitement for NBA fans.
But if you’re someone who wants to understand the intricacies of how and why the schedule is made, we have something special for you. The Athletic had the opportunity to interview Evan Wasch, the NBA’s executive VP of basketball strategy and analytics, about the process behind creating the schedule. Wasch and his team are responsible for putting together the schedule each season, and he provided valuable insights into the behind-the-scenes work.
In a special episode of The Athletic NBA Show, Wasch delved into the details of the schedule-making process. This year presented unique challenges as the NBA had to account for its new In-Season Tournament, leading to more problem-solving than usual. Wasch discussed how the league built the schedule, when the process began, and whether they considered competing against the NFL on Christmas Day.
One of the key takeaways from Wasch’s interview was the meticulous planning that goes into creating the schedule. The process starts months in advance, with the league taking into account various factors such as arena availability, team preferences, and television commitments. It’s a delicate balancing act to ensure that each team has a fair and balanced schedule while also maximizing revenue opportunities for the league.
The NBA also pays close attention to potential conflicts with other major sporting events, such as the NFL on Christmas Day. While it’s impossible to completely avoid overlap, the league tries its best to minimize direct competition. This year, there are no head-to-head matchups between the NBA and NFL on Christmas, allowing fans to enjoy both sports without having to choose between them.
Another interesting aspect of the schedule-making process is the consideration given to teams with back-to-back games or rest disadvantages. The NBA aims to create a level playing field for all teams, and they take into account factors such as travel distance and rest days when scheduling games. While it’s not always possible to eliminate all disadvantages, the league tries to minimize them as much as possible.
Additionally, Wasch addressed the use of the new Phoenix exception in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). The exception allows the Phoenix Suns to schedule more favorable home games during certain stretches of the season. Wasch explained that while the league is mindful of the exception, it doesn’t significantly impact the overall scheduling process. The NBA strives for fairness and equity among all teams, and the Phoenix exception is just one small factor in a complex puzzle.
Overall, the interview with Evan Wasch provided valuable insights into the NBA’s schedule-making process. It’s a meticulous and complex task that requires careful consideration of numerous factors. From arena availability to team preferences, television commitments to potential conflicts with other sports, every detail is taken into account to create a schedule that is fair, balanced, and exciting for fans.
As basketball enthusiasts eagerly await the start of the 2023-24 NBA season, they can now appreciate the thought and effort that goes into creating the schedule. It’s not just about the games themselves; it’s about the careful planning and strategy behind the scenes. So mark your calendars and get ready for another thrilling season of NBA action.