The NBA's second annual in-season tournament kicks off this Tuesday, as the Los Angeles Lakers look to defend their NBA Cup title. The tournament, rebranded as the Emirates Cup, will span the next 35 days as every team in the league looks to claim the $500,000 bonus that comes with the championship.
Of course, a new year brings new challenges to the tournament. Injuries, slow starts, and free agents yet to mesh with their new squads could all hinder a team's ability to win the Emirates Cup. That doesn't mean the tournament won't be any less exciting, offering at least a bit of an incentive for fans to get invested in the early part of the NBA season.