Why the NBA couldn’t have four better semi-finalists in the first in-season tournament!

The inaugural NBA In-season tournament has reached the semi-final stages, with four teams booking their tickets to Las Vegas to battle it out for the NBA Cup.

The Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks were the last two teams to get through to the final four after the New Orleans Pelicans and Indiana Pacers secured their tickets on Monday.

The tournament has been a breath of fresh air for the NBA season, giving regular-season games a playoff feel and players fighting for the $500k winning bonus.

According to the NBA on Instagram, LeBron James said: "We have the opportunity to compete for something, so why not? I mean, you've got the greatest competitors in the world fighting for something, so let's fight."

James was dominant again last night in his 21^st season, leading the Lakers to a 103-106 victory over the Phoenix Suns, scoring 31 points, eight rebounds, and eleven assists.

The Milwaukee Bucks dismantled the New York Knicks 122-146, with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard leading the way for the Bucks, with the 'Greek Freak' scoring 35 and 'Dame Time' finishing with 28 points.

On Monday night, Tyrese Haliburton put the world on notice, having a 26-point triple-double as the Pacers shocked the Boston Celtics, winning 112-122.

The New Orleans Pelicans will match up with the Lakers in the West semi-finals after the fully fit Pelicans team beat the Sacramento Kings 127-117, even with Zion Williamson scoring only ten.

With the four semi-finalists confirmed, the NBA couldn't pick four better teams to face off in the first in-season tournament Vegas showdown, but why?

The Los Angeles Lakers are the most famous team in the world, with the most famous player, bringing a wider audience and an appeal to casual basketball fans who follow James or the Lakers.

On Instagram alone, the Lakers and James combined have over 180 million followers, giving the NBA that big name and team that fans can resonate with and watch.

With James and other NBA superstars like Steph Curry and Kevin Durant in their late 30s, this tournament has the perfect players to showcase today's young kings in a playoff-like environment.

Tyrese Haliburton proved in his quarter-final game against the Celtics that he was made for the big stage. Still, with him and Zion Williamson playing under the major lights of Vegas, the NBA couldn't have a better scenario to showcase their young stars.

Even with the young stars on show, the semifinals wouldn't be complete without the NBA superstars of today, with the Lakers and Bucks possessing some of the world's elite.

The Bucks have all-star Khris Middleton, NBA 75^th anniversary member Damien Lillard, and two-time MVP, Finals MVP, and NBA champion Giannis Antetokounmpo ready to suit up, while the Lakers have GOAT James and superstar Anthony Davis in the semi-finals.

With all these characteristics, the NBA Cup semi-finals look set to take the NBA brand to a new level, bringing together big teams, giant stars, and young and hungry players looking to prove themselves on the biggest stage.