Listen, I fully acknowledge that the Cup isn't the NCAA tournament or the NBA playoffs but I have to say this for my own sanity (even though SURELY this is known)...
There are countless tournament formats across most sports and esports where a group stage (non elimination) determines who makes it to the elimination stage.
This idea that it isn't a "real tournament" because there is a portion of it (even a large portion of it) that isn't elimination is clinically insane.
Is it great? No. Is the group stage elongated due to the inclusion of the regular season side by side? Yes. All of this is true, but it is certainly still a tournament. Even if it isn't a good one. (I do like that they are at least trying).
I am always up for some White Shadow love! I looked up the Wiki entry and found this interesting tidbit:
---
Stewart reprised the role of Warren Coolidge, from 1984–88, in the Paltrow-directed series St. Elsewhere. On episodes of St. Elsewhere, Coolidge could often be spotted wearing a Carver High School t-shirt, and he discusses how he had to give up basketball due to injury, later moving to Boston and taking a hospital orderly job at St. Eligius. Van Patten plays a character named Dean in a St. Elsewhere three episode story arc in 1985 – in the final episode for Dean, this causes some confusion for Coolidge, who calls out "Heyyy!! Salami!!" when he sees Dean on a St. Eligius elevator, to which Dean replies "You got the wrong guy, pal.", leaving Coolidge trying to plead his case with a confused "No - it's Warren." as the elevator doors close.
OK, you have piqued my interest. I am going to have to check out the White Shadow.
Listen, I fully acknowledge that the Cup isn't the NCAA tournament or the NBA playoffs but I have to say this for my own sanity (even though SURELY this is known)...
There are countless tournament formats across most sports and esports where a group stage (non elimination) determines who makes it to the elimination stage.
This idea that it isn't a "real tournament" because there is a portion of it (even a large portion of it) that isn't elimination is clinically insane.
Is it great? No. Is the group stage elongated due to the inclusion of the regular season side by side? Yes. All of this is true, but it is certainly still a tournament. Even if it isn't a good one. (I do like that they are at least trying).
I am always up for some White Shadow love! I looked up the Wiki entry and found this interesting tidbit:
---
Stewart reprised the role of Warren Coolidge, from 1984–88, in the Paltrow-directed series St. Elsewhere. On episodes of St. Elsewhere, Coolidge could often be spotted wearing a Carver High School t-shirt, and he discusses how he had to give up basketball due to injury, later moving to Boston and taking a hospital orderly job at St. Eligius. Van Patten plays a character named Dean in a St. Elsewhere three episode story arc in 1985 – in the final episode for Dean, this causes some confusion for Coolidge, who calls out "Heyyy!! Salami!!" when he sees Dean on a St. Eligius elevator, to which Dean replies "You got the wrong guy, pal.", leaving Coolidge trying to plead his case with a confused "No - it's Warren." as the elevator doors close.