Lakers News: LeBron James Reveals Thoughts on NBA In-Season Tournament

LeBron endorsed the NBA's efforts to spice up the regular season.

The NBA in-season tournament began Friday, Nov. 3 and will end Dec. 9, with the semifinals and championship games taking place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The tournament is the first of its kind, and there will be group play and knock out stages. All 30 teams were randomly drawn into groups of five within their conference based on their win totals from last season. Eight teams will advance to the knockout rounds, and each game will count towards the 82-game season total.

For more details and information about the In-Season Tournament, click here.

The Lakers are in West Group A along with the Memphis Grizzlies, Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz and Portland Trail Blazers. The prize for winning the tournament consists of an increased financial package depending on how far a team goes, with each of the players on the winning team taking home $500,000.

NBA courts have been changed to showcase the tournament, with the Lakers' full court being painted bright yellow with a giant trophy in the center.

After the Lakers' 108-107 loss to the Miami Heat, LeBron James gave his thoughts on the NBA's newest twist on the regular season.

"Some of the courts looked a little funky, but I think it's great in the sense of for the league spicing things up," LeBron said on watching highlights from tournament games. "I did see some of the players at some of the games felt like a playoff-type atmosphere."

(Via

Spectrum SportsNet

)

The Lakers are in the midst of their season tournament debut with a game against the Phoenix Suns tonight. LA earned its first win of the season against the Suns in late October.

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