the NBA will not give out personal awards

That seems like a missed opportunity. It's longer than the Finals and that has an MVP award. There's no way these guys don't want to be the first In-Season Tournament MVP (Jimmy and Joker being exceptions), so that would be an easy way to get buy-in.

Stacker Sports - Meta Meta Takeover Takeover - NBA In-Season Tournament

Undisciplined

> the NBA will not give out personal awards

That seems like a missed opportunity. It's longer than the Finals and that has an MVP award. There's no way these guys don't want to be the first In-Season Tournament MVP (Jimmy and Joker being exceptions), so that would be an easy way to get buy-in.