The NBA has seen a rise in the formation of Super Teams, which are teams with two, three, or more star players on their roster. This phenomenon has sparked controversy and debate among fans and teams alike, questioning the fairness and impact of these
powerhouses in the league.
The Birth of Super Teams
Super Teams have emerged as top players like Kevin Durant and LeBron James have been accused of forming alliances to eliminate competition. James has been involved in two Super Teams that won a total of three NBA rings, first with the Miami Heat and then with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Durant’s decision to join the Golden State Warriors in 2016, a team that had already won 73 games in a season, was seen as anything but organic.
Controversy and Unfairness
The controversy over Super Teams is ongoing, with some fans and teams feeling that it is unfair for a few teams to accumulate so much talent. This offseason has seen an arms race of accumulating top talent, with teams like Houston, Cleveland, and Boston looking to upgrade their already formidable rosters.
East Asia Super League: A New Frontier
The East Asia Super League (EASL), a startup basketball league featuring clubs from mainland China, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines, will receive a reality TV treatment. The long-form series will be directed by Korean filmmaker John H. Lee and produced by Studio Ignite!, CTRL Media, and Salty Pictures. The series will explore the drama on and off the court throughout the EASL’s inaugural season, showcasing the players, coaches, and team rivalries.
League Structure and Global Release
The EASL was designed to bring the basketball cultures of East Asia together as a top-level international league. The league follows a structure where the eight teams are split into two groups of four to play a round-robin format, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the Final Four. The series will continue production as the inaugural EASL season kicks off in October, with a global release targeted for the summer of 2023.