It's safe to say that the Play-In Tournament has been a complete success for the NBA. What was supposed to be a one-off experiment for the bubble became an intriguing way of spicing up the regular season. Now, as the Brooklyn Nets prepare for a run at the Play-In Tournament, Kyrie Irving reflects on the tournament.

Speaking to reporters, Irving talked about the impact of the Play-In on the NBA scene. The Nets star said that many league officials were likely giddy at the success of the tournament. Kyrie Irving cited the appearances of LeBron James and Stephen Curry last season, as well as his and Kevin Durant's play this year. (via Nick Friedell)

“I think somebody's in the back room hip hip hooraying whoever created the Play-In tournament. Because last year you get Steph and LeBron, this year you get me and KD going against the Cavs in the Play-In game.”

The Play-In Tournament has certainly been a breath of fresh air for many NBA fans, who get to experience more action in the waning days of the regular season. Teams that would normally fall out of the playoff picture early (like the Nets this season) are given a chance to get back to the game. It's an amazing format that keeps the league competitive till the very end.

Last year, Curry's Warriors and LeBron's Lakers duked it out in the Play-In, with Golden State being knocked out by LA. This year, it's the Nets' turn to go through the gauntlet, something they likely didn't expect to do when the season started.

The Nets were touted as one of the clear favorites to win it all this year, and for good reason. The three-headed monster of Irving, Kevin Durant, and James Harden were deemed too hard to stop. However, Kyrie's unavailability and discontent from Harden broke apart the team, and they struggled to maintain form.

However, the team was given a break by the recent rule changes in the city. With Kyrie Irving finally cleared to play in home games, the Nets surged back to contention, earning the seventh seed and a spot in the Play-In Tournament. Despite their title as a “Play-In” team, Brooklyn is a team no one wants to face in the post-season.