I get that they’re trying to add some early-season excitement, but pool play starting week 2 seems a bit rushed. I’m already excited at the start of the season by just having basketball back in general. I think having the tournament finals games in January (rather than early December) would be a better way to break up the early-mid season monotony.

https://www.nba.com/news/2023-nba-in-season-tournament-schedule