Silver: Might move to top 16 teams for the playoffs

[Doctor Rivers]

https://twitter.com/Monroe_SA/status/454803906741010432

The crappy eastern teams won't get in now

[Draz]

More competitive would like that.

[Mr. Jabbar]

about fkn time... there is no real rivalry between conferences and the eastern champion gets a free pass to the finals every year. a complete joke. im with the jew on this one

[215Philly]

It's waaaayy too unfair for these west teams

[9512]

YES! Lmao at this affirmative action for bad teams in the Eastern conference...

[wakencdukest]

It'll work out because the east will get all the lottery picks for a few years and the conferences will eventually become balanced.

[livinglegend]

good, it would be a good move for the NBA.

[FKAri]

Imagine if the all the teams in the NBA played each other with a frequency that disregards regions. The disparity would be even greater between the West and East teams.

[Railgun]

Hell no.

[FLDFSU]

So Silver is going to destroy historic rivalries?

The Lakers and Celtics can meet in the first round now?

Is going to eliminate conferences all together?

[Rose'sACL]

So Silver is going to destroy historic rivalries?

The Lakers and Celtics can meet in the first round now?

Is going to eliminate conferences all together?
r u a kid? why do you need those rivalries to stay the same ? if anything this will increase the number of rivalries by adding new cross conference ones as more inter-conference playoff games would be played.

[FLDFSU]

It's waaaayy too unfair for these west teams


Is it too much to ask to finish in the top 1/2 of your conference? The conference in which the back to back champions don't even reside?

Not opposed to the 16 team playoffs but the whining from the West is just pathetic. Man up and win some games.

[mr.big35]

terrible idea why fix something that is not broken. Silver is ruining nba

[secund2nun]

So Silver is going to destroy historic rivalries?

The Lakers and Celtics can meet in the first round now?

Is going to eliminate conferences all together?

I find this more interesting. Rarely do 2 teams meet in the finals anyways. If this change happens we will be much more likely to see the Celtics vs Lakers than in the current playoff format.

I don't think they will eliminate conferences because of the travel advantages associated with conferences and divisions where the teams are in the same region like we have now.

[Rose'sACL]

Is it too much to ask to finish in the top 1/2 of your conference? The conference in which the back to back champions don't even reside?

Not opposed to the 16 team playoffs but the whining from the West is just pathetic. Man up and win some games.
i think this is great and football should follow by at least removing divisions.

[Mr. Jabbar]

get rid of the whole east vs west BS altogether, its fkn nonsense and no1 gives a fk

1 league, no shortcuts

[Bless Mathews]

No way.

You think teams tank now????!!!????

Smh.

[coin24]

The playoffs would be so much better this year if it was the top 16 teams.. Instead were stuck with the unwatchable east shit, and good teams in the west miss out..

Plus if all teams played each other the same amount of times instead of that conference shit it would be a lot fairer..

[sundizz]

Yep. There is absolutely no need to have divisions. You can get pretty damn quickly from East to West. There is no east/west/north/south pride anyways.

Just one league. Top 16 make it. Everyone plays each other the same # of times. This isn't 1980. Make it happen Quick Silver.

[Sarcastic]

There's no way the owners would vote yes to that.

[Mrofir]

I still think the 6+2 method I suggested a few days ago would be the most interesting, solves the problem and preserves conference rivalries

[SpaceJammeR]

i like it. will be a lot more competitive.

[Mr. Jabbar]

There's no way the owners would vote yes to that.

fk the owners, WE are the consumers in this business

[Clyde]

There's no way the owners would vote yes to that.


Im with you. This will never happen

[Clyde]

fk the owners, WE are the consumers in this business

Sadly they could give a flying **** about your opinion. ...you're watching regardless

[fpliii]

Problem with this is it eliminates "roadblock" teams in conference. Stuff like:

Celtics as a roadblock to Wilt's teams
Sixers/Celtics as a roadblock to the Bucks
Pistons as a roadblock to the Bulls
Boston as a roadblock to the Cavs/Heat

really adds to the color of the playoff matchups IMO. With 16 teams, regardless of conference, you won't have these kinds of series. Would be kind of sad IMO.

[NugzFan]

It'll work out because the east will get all the lottery picks for a few years and the conferences will eventually become balanced.

...said the eastern conference for the last 10 years yet nothing ever changes.

i like this idea but then divisions are worthless.

[Nets fan 93]

Silver is thinking of this, silver is thinking of that.... We'll see when he actually does something.

[bballnoob1192]

this aint gonna happen no matter what the fans want

[ZenMaster]

Is it too much to ask to finish in the top 1/2 of your conference? The conference in which the back to back champions don't even reside?

Not opposed to the 16 team playoffs but the whining from the West is just pathetic. Man up and win some games.

Ironic line considering west teams have won 117 more basketball games this year.

[Mr. Jabbar]

Sadly they could give a flying **** about your opinion. ...you're watching regardless

i could watch "regardless", or i could watch "fascinated" while others start to watch nba too, thats the difference. NBA and its team owners fill their pockets from us fans, no1 else. without us theres no jerseys, tv deals or sponsors. you focus on what could drive more of "us" to watch the nba

[Rose'sACL]

Problem with this is it eliminates "roadblock" teams in conference. Stuff like:

Celtics as a roadblock to Wilt's teams
Sixers/Celtics as a roadblock to the Bucks
Pistons as a roadblock to the Bulls
Boston as a roadblock to the Cavs/Heat

really adds to the color of the playoff matchups IMO. With 16 teams, regardless of conference, you won't have these kinds of series. Would be kind of sad IMO.
new rivalries would be created and older ones like lakers-celtics would get even fiercer as they would meet more often during the playoffs.

[Nets fan 93]

If anything move the Grizzles or timberwolves to the east. Move the bucks to Seattle and put them in the west. Problem solved

[NugzFan]

Is it too much to ask to finish in the top 1/2 of your conference? The conference in which the back to back champions don't even reside?

Not opposed to the 16 team playoffs but the whining from the West is just pathetic. Man up and win some games.

huh? isnt that exactly what the west is doing...winning games.

[NugzFan]

I still think the 6+2 method I suggested a few days ago would be the most interesting, solves the problem and preserves conference rivalries

what is the 6+2 method?

[fpliii]

new rivalries would be created and older ones like lakers-celtics would get even fiercer as they would meet more often during the playoffs.
Thing is though, if teams are seeded 1-16 regardless of conference, there are 2x as many possible opponents. So really, teams will see each other less often (though obviously there will be more interconference machups than there are no, since presently they can only meet in the Finals).

[Mr. Jabbar]

Thing is though, if teams are seeded 1-16 regardless of conference, there are 2x as many possible opponents. So really, teams will see each other less often (though obviously there will be more interconference machups than there are no, since presently they can only meet in the Finals).

this is the thing, the guys running the show dont give a shi.t about rivalries if it doesnt trnaslate to overall profit and growth. the premise here is adam silver is a smart gold loving jew and has taken the first step in the right direction to make a more entertaining league, wipe out 7 of the playoffs series no1 gives a fk about and replace em with 7 more interesting series. the playoffs must represent a big cut of the overall money they make and they were slacking with half of it

[mr.big35]

man up western teams and win games stop whining welcome to the real world

[FLDFSU]

I would be in favor of playing every team twice, and no back to backs, no conferences, 16 team playoffs.

[NugzFan]

I would be in favor of playing every team twice, and no back to backs, no conferences, 16 team playoffs.

so a 58 game season?

no chance in hell the nba accepts this.

[Genaro]

Finally
http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Sa4I8pqCWkk/UYMljz5X9XI/AAAAAAAButA/8c_dqwpq58g/s1600/byPicasaUp.gif

[Haymaker]

Miami would play the craptors in the 1st round if that ruled were changed tomorrow.

[Genaro]

man up western teams and win games stop whining welcome to the real world
They do it every year but in the West you have to win 10 plus games than in the East just to get in. No negative records allowed.

[FLDFSU]

Problem with this is it eliminates "roadblock" teams in conference. Stuff like:

Celtics as a roadblock to Wilt's teams
Sixers/Celtics as a roadblock to the Bucks
Pistons as a roadblock to the Bulls
Boston as a roadblock to the Cavs/Heat

really adds to the color of the playoff matchups IMO. With 16 teams, regardless of conference, you won't have these kinds of series. Would be kind of sad IMO.

Exactly. There ARE drawbacks of this type of move. It's not all roses.

[Keno]

heat in five games regardless of conference or not.

[jamal99]

terrible idea why fix something that is not broken. Silver is ruining nba
Not broken? Phoenix is 9th in the West, but would be 3rd in the East...

[Mr. Jabbar]

I would be in favor of playing every team twice, and no back to backs, no conferences, 16 team playoffs.


this.

going for best 16 teams playoffs also voids much of what the conferences and divisions are built for so unifying the reg season too is just the natural step afterwards. ppl in the us dont care about west or east much less outside us. some more jet fuel will be burnt? big deal, ill run over those green peace fggts myself

[plowking]

Terrible idea. Why fix something that isn't broken?
There are 7 teams with an above .500 record in the East. What is the problem? It isn't anywhere near the worst it has ever been and they want to implement this rule now? Why didn't they put this rule in place in 85? Bulls and Cavs made it in with 38 and 36 wins each. Not to mention the 5th seed only won 40 games and was below .500.
Back then, even the Suns made it in, in the West with 36 wins as the 8th seed.

Don't fix what isn't broken. It gets rid of historic match-ups, ruins a great tradition, and there is no need for it, for the simple fact the conferences take turns at who has better teams anyway.

[FLDFSU]

huh? isnt that exactly what the west is doing...winning games.

Well, they are not winning enough to stay in the top half of their conference. Stop whining and start winning.

Trust me, if Minnesota wants to win an NBA title, winning more games than 1/2 of your conference is the easiest thing they would have to accomplish.

[Droid101]

Exactly. There ARE drawbacks of this type of move. It's not all roses.
lol at the Hawks being more of a "roadblock" than the Suns or the Timberwolves. :lol

[Droid101]

Trust me, if Minnesota wants to win an NBA title, winning more games than 1/2 of your conference is the easiest thing they would have to accomplish.
So you're saying geography is the only reason they aren't in the playoffs.

And that sounds fair to you?

[Mr. Jabbar]

Man, the Celtics, Bobcats, Bucks,Hawks, and Cavs will be in the cellar for decades.


:lol

I hope they rot

so be it, this is a competitive sports league, not some charity foundation for garbage franchises

[Droid101]

You notice it's all salty Heat fans arguing against this positive change, since their stupid team would be a 4-5 seed league-wide.

[plowking]

You do realize those teams are ALL BARELY above .500 because it's the end of the season and inter conference play is out of the window right?


Meaning the Bobcats finally get to play the Bucks, Hawks and Cavs every night padding their record. Pretty much all but 4 teams in the East suck ass and that's the bottom line.

So now you want to change the schedule, the amount teams play each other, etc?

How about sticking with a proven formula?

For most of the 80's and 90's, the East was the stronger conference. Now it is the West. It happens. Fans just bitch and moan because they have nothing better to do, and I'm sure it's not helping because the Heat are so successful and people will want any change just to make it seem as if they are helping stop them.

[plowking]

You notice it's all salty Heat fans arguing against this positive change, since their stupid team would be a 4-5 seed league-wide.

This butthurt f@g. :oldlol:

Calling others salty when you spend more time in Heat threads than you do your own team. I bet you forgot the Lakers are even playing today.

[FLDFSU]

this.

going for best 16 teams playoffs also voids much of what the conferences and divisions are built for so unifying the reg season too is just the natural step afterwards. ppl in the us dont care about west or east much less outside us. some more jet fuel will be burnt? big deal, ill run over those green peace fggts myself

Well, the NBA would save jet fuel on the 20+ games that will be eliminated.

But each game would be more of an event than it is now, and would mean more to your playoff chances.

Keep the schedule the same as far as the NBA season...just spread the games out, and market the hell out of them.

[Legends66NBA7]

You notice it's all salty Heat fans arguing against this positive change, since their stupid team would be a 4-5 seed league-wide.

I'm no Heat fan and I'm against this.

There's goes that theory.

[Mr. Jabbar]

it doesn't matter if its the west or east that is loaded :facepalm, the problem and solution remains the same

[Droid101]

I'm no Heat fan and I'm against this.

There's goes that theory.
Well, you're just stupid. Otherwise, my theory holds.

[Droid101]

This butthurt f@g. :oldlol:

Calling others salty when you spend more time in Heat threads than you do your own team. I bet you forgot the Lakers are even playing today.
Matter of fact I was about to go to the game, not that you care. And I AM going to the game on Sunday.

In other words, keep crying. When this change is all said and done, I hope to drink some more of your tears (not that you'll care at that point, I'm sure LeFraud will be on a new team by then).

[FLDFSU]

So you're saying geography is the only reason they aren't in the playoffs.

And that sounds fair to you?

If the Timberwolves and the Spurs met in the playoffs in the first round, who would win?

[Legends66NBA7]

Well, you're just stupid. Otherwise, my theory holds.

Name calling doesn't make your theory hold. Don't get mad because I stood up to you.

Why didn't the league make the change in 2008 then ?

[Mr. Jabbar]

Well, the NBA would save jet fuel on the 20+ games that will be eliminated.

But each game would be more of an event than it is now, and would mean more to your playoff chances.

Keep the schedule the same as far as the NBA season...just spread the games out, and market the hell out of them.

true

[Droid101]

If the Timberwolves and the Spurs met in the playoffs in the first round, who would win?
Most likely the Spurs.

A better question: who would win in the first round, GS or Dallas?

Name calling doesn't make your theory hold. Don't get mad because I stood up to you.

Why didn't the league make the change in 2008 then ?
Because that was mid-stream of this ridiculous disparity. It's getting worse. It will continue to get worse as 49-50 win teams are getting lottery picks and 35 win teams are NOT getting lottery picks. You realize this hits the league both ways, right? Playoffs in the first round will suck for the sucky conference, and the lottery will get better for the better conference.

[Bodhi]

So Silver is going to destroy historic rivalries?

The Lakers and Celtics can meet in the first round now?

Is going to eliminate conferences all together?
Yeah the Lakers and Celtics who have met twice in the past 25 years

Epic

[gts]

meh... leave it alone. it's perfectly fine the way it is. if you want to make the playoffs build a team to do so... in the end this would just make the league weaker... we need to see them build the east up not weaken the west by making it easier for mid level teams to make the playoffs....

[plowking]

Matter of fact I was about to go to the game, not that you care. And I AM going to the game on Sunday.

In other words, keep crying. When this change is all said and done, I hope to drink some more of your tears (not that you'll care at that point, I'm sure LeFraud will be on a new team by then).

You might go to the game, but you'll have your head down, on your phone, posting in the Heat game thread.

You're just flat out stupid, and don't realize your own hypocrisy. By the sounds of it, you're a grown man, and you let the Heat and Lebron impact your life this much. :oldlol:

[Mr. Jabbar]

a scenario with no playoffs would also be interesting to analyze, best season record wins it all, no lottery as well. worst teams are rewarded with playing in an inferior league like most important soccer leagues worldwide, there would be great matches fought not to lose category instead of tanking battles for who sucks best.

this is a complex scenario and would require league contraction but its worth to analyze and perhaps incorporate some elements

[Bodhi]

You might go to the game, but you'll have your head down, on your phone, posting in the Heat game thread.

You're just flat out stupid, and don't realize your own hypocrisy. By the sounds of it, you're a grown man, and you let the Heat and Lebron impact your life this much. :oldlol:

Are Heat fans really talking down to other fanbases
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNE7xqabfvw

[Droid101]

You might go to the game, but you'll have your head down, on your phone, posting in the Heat game thread.

You're just flat out stupid, and don't realize your own hypocrisy. By the sounds of it, you're a grown man, and you let the Heat and Lebron impact your life this much. :oldlol:
What do the Heat have to do with Memphis/Phoenix/Dallas missing the playoffs undeserving?

[FLDFSU]

So now you want to change the schedule, the amount teams play each other, etc?

How about sticking with a proven formula?

For most of the 80's and 90's, the East was the stronger conference. Now it is the West. It happens. Fans just bitch and moan because they have nothing better to do, and I'm sure it's not helping because the Heat are so successful and people will want any change just to make it seem as if they are helping stop them.

One of the reason I want this to happen is to hear the excuses...

Well MY team didn't get to play X team so if we would have played X team then we would have beaten X team and possibly have won the championship.

When the new format still shows that the BEST team will ALWAYS win a playoff format such such as this where you have brackets and best of 7 series...I want to see the tears.

Seriously, what would this change?

Shaq only wins 1 ring?
Jordan only wins 2 rings?
Duncan only wins 1 ring?
etc.

This doesn't change anything as far as crowing the champion. The team with the best talent, best coach, best luck with injuries, over the course of seven games will ALWAYS win.

So let them have their new 16 team conference...

MINNESOTA STILL WON'T WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP!

[Droid101]

meh... leave it alone. it's perfectly fine the way it is. if you want to make the playoffs build a team to do so... in the end this would just make the league weaker... we need to see them build the east up not weaken the west by making it easier for mid level teams to make the playoffs....
So, in your words, the T'wolves and the Grizzlies are a "mid level team" but the Bobhornets and Hawks are a team 'built to make the playoffs?'

:roll:

[plowking]

Just as early as about 2007, the conferences were as even as possible, with no teams in the West being able to make it in the East, and vice versa, and people are complaining. lol...

"Oh no, 6 years of disparity! The league is ruined!"

[Droid101]

One of the reason I want this to happen is to hear the excuses...

Well MY team didn't get to play X team so if we would have played X team then we would have beaten X team and possibly have won the championship.

When the new format still shows that the BEST team will ALWAYS win a playoff format such such as this where you have brackets and best of 7 series...I want to see the tears.

Seriously, what would this change?

Shaq only wins 1 ring?
Jordan only wins 2 rings?
Duncan only wins 1 ring?
etc.

This doesn't change anything as far as crowing the champion. The team with the best talent, best coach, best luck with injuries, over the course of seven games will ALWAYS win.

So let them have their new 16 team conference...

MINNESOTA STILL WON'T WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP!
I see you dodged my question:

Who would win in the first round, Dallas or GS?

[plowking]

What do the Heat have to do with Memphis/Phoenix/Dallas missing the playoffs undeserving?

What do Heat fans have to do with this, since you brought them up?

[Droid101]

What do Heat fans have to do with this, since you brought them up?
That 80% of the people who are arguing against this change are Heat fans, scared (presumably) about having a harder road to the Final series. That's what Heat fans have to do with it.

[plowking]

a scenario with no playoffs would also be interesting to analyze, best season record wins it all, no lottery as well. worst teams are rewarded with playing in an inferior league like most important soccer leagues worldwide, there would be great matches fought not to lose category instead of tanking battles for who sucks best.

this is a complex scenario and would require league contraction but its worth to analyze and perhaps incorporate some elements

Teams would then have to start youth academies, and start buying talents as young as possible. Since there wouldn't exactly be a draft going by the way you're saying.

[Legends66NBA7]

Because that was mid-stream of this ridiculous disparity. It's getting worse. It will continue to get worse as 49-50 win teams are getting lottery picks and 35 win teams are NOT getting lottery picks. You realize this hits the league both ways, right? Playoffs in the first round will suck for the sucky conference, and the lottery will get better for the better conference.

2008 was the first year that the West had 8 teams make the playoffs with 50+ wins. The 48-34 Warriors would have been a 4th seed in the East and would have gone up against James's Cavs. They were also better than the current Mavs, Suns, Grizzlies. My point is if they wasn't a problem then, there isn't one now.

As for the lottery picks ? That's the managements problem. Make a decision to tank or don't. Not every team can tank, though. And a problem with the current East was injuries, which seems many disregard and think these teams were all tanking. The Hawks, Knicks, Nets, Bulls, and Cavs were supposed to be much better coming in and injuries robbed most of their season. Only the Bulls and Nets really regrouped after this, more surprising from the Bulls since Rose was out for the season and they traded Luol Deng. They were actually supposed to tank and they completely turned it around.

The playoffs in the East didn't suck last year outside of the Heat vs Bucks. 1st vs 8th is usually always boring, though. Everything else was okay to very entertaining, especially the Nets vs Bulls. But that usually depends on the viewer anyways.

[plowking]

That 80% of the people who are arguing against this change are Heat fans, scared (presumably) about having a harder road to the Final series. That's what Heat fans have to do with it.

So you're assuming and concerning yourself with the Heat as always? You really know how to make yourself look stupid.

Why pretend to be an impartial observer when you clearly aren't?

80% of people in favor of this are just scared Kobe fans that don't want to see the Heat win with Lebron.

That was easy. I'm just doing what you're doing now.

[SpecialQue]

Is it too much to ask to finish in the top 1/2 of your conference? The conference in which the back to back champions don't even reside?

Not opposed to the 16 team playoffs but the whining from the West is just pathetic. Man up and win some games.

Shouldn't you be saying that to the east? The west seems to have no problem winning games, it's that nearly every team has to be elite just to get in, while in the east lottery teams are getting playoff spots.

[Legends66NBA7]

Why are the T-Wolves getting propped up this much ? If the Hawks were healthy all season, they would beat them.

[FLDFSU]

Most likely the Spurs.

A better question: who would win in the first round, GS or Dallas?


So why do we care about a team that has no shot of winning a title?
The playoffs are not about crowning the second best or 9th best team.

The playoffs is about crowning the BEST.

So if Minn. cannot beat the Spurs (and therefore win the Finals), I see no point in crying them not being in the dance.

Sure the Bobcats won't win the title, but neither will the Timberwolves.

[Legends66NBA7]

Shouldn't you be saying that to the east? The west seems to have no problem winning games, it's that nearly every team has to be elite just to get in, while in the east lottery teams are getting playoff spots.

Who are the lottery teams if they are all healthy ?

[FLDFSU]

That 80% of the people who are arguing against this change are Heat fans, scared (presumably) about having a harder road to the Final series. That's what Heat fans have to do with it.

Like I said, when this format, STILL produces the same teams winning in the playoffs and not the damn Timberwolves or current Lakers,

I want to hear the excuses.

[Rose'sACL]

FLDFSU is an idiot if he thinks that top 16 teams making the playoffs is a bad thing.
You can shorten the season to 70 games to have a longer postseason given that teams would have to travel more but that is it. i never liked this conference system since i started watching the NBA. I care only about entertaining basketball and not about historic rivalries or stats that would be changed because of 70 game season.
Rivalries would only become fiercer because final games of the season would be even more interesting.

[Rose'sACL]

Like I said, when this format, STILL produces the same teams winning in the playoffs and not the damn Timberwolves or current Lakers,

I want to hear the excuses.
how about the fact that some teams miss out on making playoffs? Players who deserve playoff experience miss out. Just imagine suns players missing out on playoff experience because of this stupid system. I am not even mentioning the amount of money those teams miss out on.

[gts]

So, in your words, the T'wolves and the Grizzlies are a "mid level team" but the Bobhornets and Hawks are a team 'built to make the playoffs?'

:roll:They're mid level teams in the West.. They're in a tougher conference this year. You want to see them build UP to meet the current competition not be able to stand pat knowing they can cruise into the playoffs next season because the East is a weaker conference... that does nobody any good..

Secondly the loss of the east coast viewing audience in the playoffs would be horrible.. a vast majority of the people watching the NBA is on the east coast.. you lose them with a top heavy Western conference playoff format and it's going to be felt across the league

[mr.big35]

Not broken? Phoenix is 9th in the West, but would be 3rd in the East...

they should be winning games not be concerned if they are in east they would make it to the playoffs.

[FLDFSU]

Why are the T-Wolves getting propped up this much ? If the Hawks were healthy all season, they would beat them.

Don't you know, according to some, if the NBA was more "fair" they would make the playoffs and win the NBA Championship.

The fact is...under the current set up the Hawks/Wolves are not winning a championship.

Under this new 16 team format the Hawks/Wolves are not winning a championship.

Jordan would still win 6 rings
Shaq would still have 4 rings
Kobe would still have 5 rings
Duncan would still have 4 rings
Lebron would still have 2 rings
Wade wold still have 3 rings
Dirk would still have 1 ring

This doesn't change anything. So let them have their Wolves...they are just going to be eliminated in the new system like they would under the current system.

[Rose'sACL]

they should be winning games not be concerned if they are in east they would make it to the playoffs.
that is like saying that you should just keep on studying even if you fail with 60% marks while other students who scored only 40% pass.

[mr.big35]

Don't you know, according to some, if the NBA was more "fair" they would make the playoffs and win the NBA Championship.

The fact is...under the current set up the Hawks/Wolves are not winning a championship.

Under this new 16 team format the Hawks/Wolves are not winning a championship.

Jordan would still win 6 rings
Shaq would still have 4 rings
Kobe would still have 5 rings
Duncan would still have 4 rings
Lebron would still have 2 rings
Wade wold still have 3 rings
Dirk would still have 1 ring

This doesn't change anything. So let them have their Wolves...they are just going to be eliminated in the new system like they would under the current system.

also nba playoffs upsets dont happen like in nhl where 6,7, and 8th seed make deep playoff runs.

[mr.big35]

that is like saying that you should just keep on studying even if you fail with 60% marks while other students who scored only 40% pass.

that logic dont work in school because we are not ranking them.

[Rose'sACL]

Don't you know, according to some, if the NBA was more "fair" they would make the playoffs and win the NBA Championship.

The fact is...under the current set up the Hawks/Wolves are not winning a championship.

Under this new 16 team format the Hawks/Wolves are not winning a championship.

Jordan would still win 6 rings
Shaq would still have 4 rings
Kobe would still have 5 rings
Duncan would still have 4 rings
Lebron would still have 2 rings
Wade wold still have 3 rings
Dirk would still have 1 ring

This doesn't change anything. So let them have their Wolves...they are just going to be eliminated in the new system like they would under the current system.
it is not only about rings you idiot. it is about what is fair. i know some idiots like you keep thinking that ring is the only thing that matters but playoff experience matters a lot to players/coaches too. Who knows those same players might win a ring in future by building upon that playoff experience?

[FLDFSU]

how about the fact that some teams miss out on making playoffs? Players who deserve playoff experience miss out. Just imagine suns players missing out on playoff experience because of this stupid system. I am not even mentioning the amount of money those teams miss out on.

Who cares.

I will say it again. The playoffs are about crowning the best team. Period. End of discussion.

Not about "deserving playoff experience." You want playoff experience? Finish ahead of the 8/15 teams in your conference.

Unless you are telling me that all of a sudden the Thunder/Spurs/Clippers/Heat won't win a title, or all of a sudden the Bobcats/Hawks/Sun/Mavs will...

The fact that Suns makes it while the Bobcats do--- is irrelevant...

They're fate still the same...No championship.

But like I said. Let's change the format. Still won't do anything for the Suns goal of winning a championship.

[Droid101]

Secondly the loss of the east coast viewing audience in the playoffs would be horrible.. a vast majority of the people watching the NBA is on the east coast.. you lose them with a top heavy Western conference playoff format and it's going to be felt across the league
You're trying to tell me that the Hawks, who have literally the worst fanbase in basketball, will "help" ratings in any way?

:roll:

[YouGotServed]

Why is everybody bitching about the playoff seeding all of a sudden? Too f*cking bad deal with it. Playoff seeding should not be changed. If you aren't good enough in your conference you don't deserve to be in the playoffs. Houston won like 44 games one time and missed the playoffs and nobody gave a shit.

[Rose'sACL]

Who cares.

I will say it again. The playoffs are about crowning the best team. Period. End of discussion.

Not about "deserving playoff experience." You want playoff experience? Finish ahead of the 8/15 teams in your conference.

Unless you are telling me that all of a sudden the Thunder/Spurs/Clippers/Heat won't win a title, or all of a sudden the Bobcats/Hawks/Sun/Mavs will...

The fact that Suns makes it while the Bobcats do not is irrelevant...

They're fate still the same...No championship.

But like I said. Let's change the format. Still won't do anything for the Suns goal of winning a championship.
no,it is not. you are wrong and even if you are right then having previous playoff experience would surely help a player in winning a ring in the future so you are wrong either way.
Try again.

[Legends66NBA7]

You're trying to tell me that the Hawks, who have literally the worst fanbase in basketball, will "help" ratings in any way?

:roll:

How would the T-Wolves in the playoffs help ratings ?

They weren't even selling out playoff games when Garnett was a T-Wolf.

[Droid101]

that logic dont work in school because we are not ranking them.
Classes that have a Bell curve for grades beg to differ.

[Droid101]

How would the T-Wolves in the playoff help ratings ?

They weren't even selling out playoff games when Garnett was a T-Wolf.
Phoenix/Dallas/Memphis would.

The end.

[FLDFSU]

it is not only about rings you idiot. it is about what is fair. i know some idiots like you keep thinking that ring is the only thing that matters but playoff experience matters a lot to players/coaches too. Who knows those same players might win a ring in future by building upon that playoff experience?


Let me say this slowly and simply:

The objective of the NBA playoffs is to crown a champion. That is the sole purpose of the system.

I have no idea what you/others are talking about "deserving" or "experience" or "money" for. That's cute. Leave the playoffs for the teams that can win and beat any team in the NBA 4/7 times in a series.

[FLDFSU]

Why is everybody bitching about the playoff seeding all of a sudden? Too f*cking bad deal with it. Playoff seeding should not be changed. If you aren't good enough in your conference you don't deserve to be in the playoffs. Houston won like 44 games one time and missed the playoffs and nobody gave a shit.

:applause:

[Darius]

Bunch of pu$$ys in here afraid to try something new.

"It's tradition!!!" It also tradition to stone witches and keep slaves... lets keep moving onwards and upwards here.

This is a great idea that has a few drawbacks (the lack of "roadblock" teams to overcome is a negative) but overall creates a much more competitive, entertaining league.

Now way more matchups have import/meaning because you don't know who will play who in the playoffs and when a tiebreaker might matter.

Right now, unless you are the heat or the pacers, eastern team games vs. the west hardly matter for sh:t.

I also like the idea of reducing games to eliminate back to backs and make every game more meaningful.

I like Adam Silver is considering ideas. NBA is a good league but could be much better.

[VIntageNOvel]

they need to change the whole system,
get rid of the conference
every team face each other twice, one home, one away.

that way, you got 58 games a year, no b2b, longer trip but also longer rest between game

[Mr. Jabbar]

Teams would then have to start youth academies, and start buying talents as young as possible. Since there wouldn't exactly be a draft going by the way you're saying.

exactly

[houston]

dumb idea keep it as is

[Spaulding]

Mark Cuban at the helm in this thing. Bet you $100.

[oh the horror]

terrible idea why fix something that is not broken. Silver is ruining nba




Because it is broken. Have you seen the first round of the eastern playoffs?

[All Net]

We can but hope

It's a joke Memphis may miss the playoffs.

[Sarcastic]

Life isn't fair. Get over it fggts.

[Legends66NBA7]

Because it is broken. Have you seen the first round of the eastern playoffs?

What about it ? Where is the problem outside of 1 vs 8 which is obviously going to be one sided ?

Looks like every other series will be competitive.


We can but hope

It's a joke Memphis may miss the playoffs.

Blame their owner for making such cost cutting moves. He's knows their in a tough conference, but won't engage in spending more and wouldn't keep Hollins.

The 08 Warriors were a better team than the current Grizzlies, Mavericks, or Suns too, but there wasn't such an out cry back then.

[AnaheimLakers24]

brans career coming to a end. decline plus this. hed b lucky to be i. the league in 3 years

[miggyme1]

i think this is great and football should follow by at least removing divisions.


are u high???

thats the beauty about football....to ensure u get a playoff berth u HAVE to win your divison....in other words u have to EARN your playoff berth....every year in football the wildcard teams usually comes down to the final week and its so many scenarios in order for the last two teams to get in.

take away the divisons and then what? top 6 teams in each conference? hell no..get outta here with that trash kid

[miggyme1]

r u a kid? why do you need those rivalries to stay the same ? if anything this will increase the number of rivalries by adding new cross conference ones as more inter-conference playoff games would be played.


again another dumb post from you...this will increase rivalries??? how? it still would be the same number of games season wise...i think silver would still keep the conferences for "political" purposes but for playoff seeding itll be top 16 teams in and the 1 seed would play the 16 seed and so on so i really dont see how it could create new rivals...imo it would water down the game...and what if the lakers meet lets say the heat in the first round.....u know how much traveling that is??? or boston against portland in the first round. also keep in mind that the tv networks have to be able to broadcast the games...what if the top 8 seeds or majority are western teams on the west coast??? west coast is what 3 hours ahead of eastern standard.......EXACTLY...bad idea

[miggyme1]

i could watch "regardless", or i could watch "fascinated" while others start to watch nba too, thats the difference. NBA and its team owners fill their pockets from us fans, no1 else. without us theres no jerseys, tv deals or sponsors. you focus on what could drive more of "us" to watch the nba


how old are you?

nba owners dont need the fans money..they were already billionaires BEFORE owning an nba team considering u have to HAVE money to own one...nba owners dont own teams for the money trust me.

u are so wrong about how tv deals work....the nba as a whole has tv deals and then depending on how good certain nba teams are they get exclusive deals..like the lakers etc. remember the nba on nbc back in the day???prolly not...but that was a deal the nba did with nbc exclusively no matter what team there was always gonna be an nba game on..of course now the nba is with abc. so in reality the nba could care less about the money..its more about the tv ratings...but ud be dumb if u think people in the nba get paid by us fans. its mainly about status...tryin to be the most celebrated and loved sport in america..nun more...nun less

[NugzFan]

Well, they are not winning enough to stay in the top half of their conference. Stop whining and start winning.

Trust me, if Minnesota wants to win an NBA title, winning more games than 1/2 of your conference is the easiest thing they would have to accomplish.

do you have any idea how little sense you make? :oldlol:

[hawksdogsbraves]

do you have any idea how little sense you make? :oldlol:

Why? If they can't make the playoffs in the West, yeah it's not really fair, but they obviously couldn't do any damage anyway.

The whole thing is overblown. The 6-8 seeds in the West will make about as much noise as the 6-8 seeds in the East. Which is to say, none.

[Rose'sACL]

again another dumb post from you...this will increase rivalries??? how? it still would be the same number of games season wise...i think silver would still keep the conferences for "political" purposes but for playoff seeding itll be top 16 teams in and the 1 seed would play the 16 seed and so on so i really dont see how it could create new rivals...imo it would water down the game...and what if the lakers meet lets say the heat in the first round.....u know how much traveling that is??? or boston against portland in the first round. also keep in mind that the tv networks have to be able to broadcast the games...what if the top 8 seeds or majority are western teams on the west coast??? west coast is what 3 hours ahead of eastern standard.......EXACTLY...bad idea
reduce the number of games. top 16 teams making the playoffs is a good thing no matter what people like you think. make it a 60 game season. i don't care that it will make comparing points or assist totals for players impossible. I am just thinking about the game and how it could be fairer and more entertaining.
also, rivalries will increase as you will have to compete with more teams for HCA. Miami, Houston, clippers and indiana would all have been fighting for HCA for second round right now.
also, lets say a big market team like lakers make 14th seed and miami makes 3rd seed. How is it not enjoyable? they wouldn't meet otherwise in most cases so why is it bad?
We would get better finals in pretty much all the cases if 16 top teams make it.

[NugzFan]

Why? If they can't make the playoffs in the West, yeah it's not really fair, but they obviously couldn't do any damage anyway.

The whole thing is overblown. The 6-8 seeds in the West will make about as much noise as the 6-8 seeds in the East. Which is to say, none.

he keeps saying stop whining and start winning.

but thats all the west does is win. and with much harder competition to play.

i should clarify that i dont want to change the format (getting rid of conferences would look silly) however to say that western teams need to win more is stupid. its already so lopsided. basically he feels that western teams need to win 50 just to make the playoffs but 30 wins out east is ok. yet its the west that needs to win more? :wtf:

btw; go hawks...one more win!

[bdreason]

There's no way the owners would vote yes to that.


How many votes do they need? Because I'm pretty sure every owner in the Western Conference would vote yes.

[All Net]

How many votes do they need? Because I'm pretty sure every owner in the Western Conference would vote yes.

You know the lower seeds would

[aboss4real24]

There r fu ckn up basketball

keep it the way it is

so wat if west teams arent gttn in the offs with winning records

stop crying and win more games

[AussieG]

Is it too much to ask to finish in the top 1/2 of your conference? The conference in which the back to back champions don't even reside?

Not opposed to the 16 team playoffs but the whining from the West is just pathetic. Man up and win some games.
The performance of the East is pathetic. They need to man up and win some games.

[OmniStrife]

:lol Eastern fans here spewing bullshit to make this sound like a bad idea...

[plowking]

:lol Eastern fans here spewing bullshit to make this sound like a bad idea...

It is a bad idea.

10-15 years from now, the East will be the significantly stronger conference. And, that's the way it is. Another 10-15 years, and it will be the West.

These things balance themselves out, and if you look through history, that is the case. More players will start coming out East since it's easier to get to the playoffs. East will get higher picks. Slowly the momentum will shift one way then the other.

[dunksby]

Heast fans the only ones disagreeing with it :lol I personally would love to see such system implemented. If you are not among top 16 teams in the NBA you shouldn't get to play with the big guys, man up and win more games.

[Sarcastic]

If this happens, I can't wait for the year when a western team has to travel east for 3 consecutive series, then cries foul because of all the travel.

Imagine an LA team playing Washington, Philly, and one of the NY teams for each of the first 3 series. Would not only be unfair, it would be dumb as fck.

[WallIn]

Actually at the moment we would have had 9 Western Conference and 7 Eastern Conference teams if this idea is put in the work. Just saying, it is not like East doesn't exist without Miami and Indiana

[Sarcastic]

reduce the number of games.


Why in the world would they do that? They earn tons of revenue from the 82 game schedule. Reducing the number of games would reduce the income of both the players and the owners. Why would either side choose to reduce their revenues?

[Blue&Orange]

The crappy eastern teams won't get in now
Atlanta would have been the only team not making it, the other 7 eastern teams would be there.


The east did pretty good considering the epic horrible start of most teams.

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

It is a bad idea.

10-15 years from now, the East will be the significantly stronger conference. And, that's the way it is. Another 10-15 years, and it will be the West.

These things balance themselves out, and if you look through history, that is the case. More players will start coming out East since it's easier to get to the playoffs. East will get higher picks. Slowly the momentum will shift one way then the other.

Yeah but who really wants to wait another 15 years? Hell, who wants to see more imbalance between conferences?

Silver's "idea" would ensure quality basketball in the regular season AND playoffs.. Every series and game.

Nobody should be opposed to this.

[longtime lurker]

About damn time. The only people who are against this are Heat fans worried that the Heat won't have an easy path to the finals anymore. Any REAL fan would want quality basketball.

[bagelred]

Well then just rid of divisions and conferenes and have 30 teams in one big lump then.

[Horatio33]

It'll work out because the east will get all the lottery picks for a few years and the conferences will eventually become balanced.

Since Jordan left in 98 the West has been the most dominant conference by far. It's been 16 years. A few lottery picks won't solve that.

[Crystallas]

I'd rather just give the bottom teams lottery chances, even if they make the playoffs, to balance things out. You could even ad a clause that changes the draft position based on playoff success. But it would have to be fully decided by the conference finals. So theoretically, a team that had the 16th seed, worst record among the playoff teams could wind up with the 24th pick or something of that nature if they make it to the finals.

[Andrei89]

Stupid this is.

Not because I am Heat fan, I could car less.

Is because the dynamics usually change.

Sure, the past years the east has been terrible, but it hasnt always been like this.


Not long ago, Orlando, Cavaliers, Miami, Celtics, Detroit, Chicago and even longer ago, Nets, 76ers, even Wizards were great playoff teams.

Certainly this season, the EAST has been as weak as ever, but that does not mean it is not going to be balanced again in the future.

[Rocketswin2013]

I don't think people understand. If this goes through divisions and conferences will most likely be removed. Meaning inter-conference play will go on all season long and not just the first 60-70 games. These East teams have been padding their records against each other and the exact opposite is happening in the West.




I doubt more than 5 east teams make a 16 team playoff if they have to face the West all season.

[Andrei89]

Since Jordan left in 98 the West has been the most dominant conference by far. It's been 16 years. A few lottery picks won't solve that.


Why has the West been the dominant conference? Because they won the NBA Championship more often?

[Rocketswin2013]

Why has the West been the dominant conference? Because they won the NBA Championship more often?
No. Because they have better teams. Look at the East teams record vs the West and vice versa.

[guy]

Silver is a bitch. This is such a terrible idea. First of all, this does reduce rivalries not increases it, because there's less of a probability of teams facing each other in consecutive playoffs when there's a bigger pool of possible teams they can face. And sorry, I don't want to see the Celtics/Lakers, Heat/Thunder, Heat/Spurs face each other before the Finals. There's a certain allure to those type of matchups happening IN THE FINALS. And what exactly are we changing it for? So two teams, Memphis and Minnesota, who wouldn't win shit this year would make the playoffs? That's really worth changing everything?

On a semi-related note, they should really just move Memphis to the East and switch them with Milwaukee.

[Charlie Sheen]

If this happens, I can't wait for the year when a western team has to travel east for 3 consecutive series, then cries foul because of all the travel.

Imagine an LA team playing Washington, Philly, and one of the NY teams for each of the first 3 series. Would not only be unfair, it would be dumb as fck.

Don't the DETROIT Redwings play in the NHL's Western Conference? You're exaggerating to make it a bigger deal than it really is.

[Legends66NBA7]

Can people stop saying only Heat fans are against this ?

Read the damn thread. There are quiet a number of different fan bases against it.

[Legends66NBA7]

Don't the DETROIT Redwings play in the NHL's Western Conference? You're exaggerating to make it a bigger deal than it really is.

No, not anymore.

Detroit Red Wings since the start of the 13-14 season now play in the Eastern Conference.

[Charlie Sheen]

No, not anymore.

Detroit Red Wings since the start of the 13-14 season now play in the Eastern Conference.

Well damn. I look like a fool.

[dannywpt]

Stupid this is.

Not because I am Heat fan, I could car less.


How much less could you care?

[hawksdogsbraves]

Since Jordan left in 98 the West has been the most dominant conference by far. It's been 16 years. A few lottery picks won't solve that.

That's because of two teams, the Spurs and the Lakers. They're carrying the banner while the rest of the West moans about how good they are and how if they were in the East they wouldn't keep getting bounced in the first round.

[Andrei89]

How much less could you care?


I wouldn't care at all. 2012, 2013 and 2014 Miami Heat would come out of the West.

It is just haters that say otherwise. My opinion.

[alec613]

Good for the West teams, since they can also play against the weak east teams, although there aren't that many because the West would at least have 10-12 teams minimum participating

[The Iron Sheik]

people actually want to see the grizzlies play in the playoffs? :biggums:

they're like the super spurs when it comes to being boring

and the east has been way worse than this before. look at 2001. east was atrocious. but this year the east has been bad (it improved a lot over the course of the season though) in large part due to injuries.

[AirFederer]

Way to go!

[NugzFan]

It is a bad idea.

10-15 years from now, the East will be the significantly stronger conference. And, that's the way it is. Another 10-15 years, and it will be the West.

These things balance themselves out, and if you look through history, that is the case. More players will start coming out East since it's easier to get to the playoffs. East will get higher picks. Slowly the momentum will shift one way then the other.

people have been saying the east will catch up for years now.

we will keep waiting i guess.

[NugzFan]

If this happens, I can't wait for the year when a western team has to travel east for 3 consecutive series, then cries foul because of all the travel.

Imagine an LA team playing Washington, Philly, and one of the NY teams for each of the first 3 series. Would not only be unfair, it would be dumb as fck.

oh no! so they have to travel an extra 1.5 hours on a luxury plane a couple times a year. :cry:

[NugzFan]

Atlanta would have been the only team not making it, the other 7 eastern teams would be there.


The east did pretty good considering the epic horrible start of most teams.

if you even out the schedules, this wouldnt be the case.

[Legends66NBA7]

people actually want to see the grizzlies play in the playoffs? :biggums:

they're like the super spurs when it comes to being boring

and the east has been way worse than this before. look at 2001. east was atrocious. but this year the east has been bad (it improved a lot over the course of the season though) in large part due to injuries.

Spurs haven't been "boring" for years now.

[DMV2]

If this happens, I can't wait for the year when a western team has to travel east for 3 consecutive series, then cries foul because of all the travel.

Imagine an LA team playing Washington, Philly, and one of the NY teams for each of the first 3 series. Would not only be unfair, it would be dumb as fck.Yeah, if they do this, it's not just going to effect NBA players and teams but sports media and probably the NHL too because a lot NBA and NHL teams share arenas.


oh no! so they have to travel an extra 1.5 hours on a luxury plane a couple times a year. :cry:
Do you realize that the 2-3-2 Finals format (1984?-2013) was due to travelling reasons? That's nearly 30 years of Finals championship matches that may or may not have went differently if it was a 2-2-1-1-1 format.

[DMV2]

Until the league makes basketball more of a team game rather than a superstar league, I don't think going to a 16-team playoff format changes anything.

[k0kakw0rld]

terrible idea why fix something that is not broken. Silver is ruining nba
This. Bring Stern back :pimp:

[FLDFSU]

Why? If they can't make the playoffs in the West, yeah it's not really fair, but they obviously couldn't do any damage anyway.

The whole thing is overblown. The 6-8 seeds in the West will make about as much noise as the 6-8 seeds in the East. Which is to say, none.


:applause:

As I have been saying: The Hawks are not winning an NBA title this year...BUT neither will the Timberwolves...

Unless the purpose of the playoffs is something other than winning a title (it is not, the sole purpose of the playoffs is to determine the best team) then who cares about a team who can't finish better than 1/2 their conference?

When asked who would win in a series: Timberwolves or Spurs, it is UNIVERSALLY accepted that the Spurs would win-in 4 or 5 games.

[FLDFSU]

About damn time. The only people who are against this are Heat fans worried that the Heat won't have an easy path to the finals anymore. Any REAL fan would want quality basketball.

Not at all. As a Heat fan, I welcome it actually.

I want to see the tears and cries that will follow when once again...in a bracket style system...best of 7 series...the BEST team once again wins.

"Oh, it's not fair, OKC had to travel all the way to NYC...and Miami only had to travel to Memphis, so when Miami and OKC met in the next round OKC was tired..."

[Mrofir]

what is the 6+2 method?

I posted about this a few days ago but the thread never gained any traction. I think there is a lot of potential in this method to preserve conference rivalries and have an exciting wildcard element at the same time:


top 6 teams from each conference would get auto-births in the traditional way.

The remaining 4 playoff "wildcard" spots would be determined by overall record regardless of conference. If the wildcards end up being equally represented (2-2 split) in each conference, then the teams stay in their conference and we get the same result we've been used to with regards to seedings and matchups.

However, if the 4 wildcards are split unequally, i.e 3-1, the 4 teams would be assigned to a conference based on random lottery. So if the playoffs started today with this 6+2 system in place, we'd be looking at this:

East
1 Miami
2 Indiana
3 Chicago
4 Toronto
5 Brooklyn
6 Washington *could fall into wildcard race

West
1 San Spurs
2 Okc
3 Clippers
4 Rockets
5 Blazers
6 GSW

Wildcards

Dallas - clinched
Memphis - clinched
Phoenix - clinched
Minnesota
Charlotte
*Washington

We would have a 3 way race for the last wildcard seed between Charlotte Washington and Minnesota, and 3 obvious playoff caliber teams, Dallas\Memphis\Phx would be playoff bound.

Additionally, we would have the possibility of incredibly interesting 1st round matchups. Phx\Indiana, Miami/Dallas, San Antonio/Washington, etc

Someone could say but it's no fair that the Pacers would get stuck play Phx in the first round, or it's no fair that Miami would have to face, say, Memphis. But is it any more fair for San Antonio to play Memphis in the first round? Best team wins. This would get teams in that deserve to be in, and potentially even out the road to the finals.

[NugzFan]

Yeah, if they do this, it's not just going to effect NBA players and teams but sports media and probably the NHL too because a lot NBA and NHL teams share arenas.


Do you realize that the 2-3-2 Finals format (1984?-2013) was due to travelling reasons? That's nearly 30 years of Finals championship matches that may or may not have went differently if it was a 2-2-1-1-1 format.

do you realize that players travel differently than they did in 1984?

[NugzFan]

:applause:

As I have been saying: The Hawks are not winning an NBA title this year...BUT neither will the Timberwolves...

Unless the purpose of the playoffs is something other than winning a title (it is not, the sole purpose of the playoffs is to determine the best team) then who cares about a team who can't finish better than 1/2 their conference?


according to your logic there should be about 5-6 teams in the playoffs.

[NugzFan]

I posted about this a few days ago but the thread never gained any traction. I think there is a lot of potential in this method to preserve conference rivalries and have an exciting wildcard element at the same time:


top 6 teams from each conference would get auto-births in the traditional way.

The remaining 4 playoff "wildcard" spots would be determined by overall record regardless of conference. If the wildcards end up being equally represented (2-2 split) in each conference, then the teams stay in their conference and we get the same result we've been used to with regards to seedings and matchups.

However, if the 4 wildcards are split unequally, i.e 3-1, the 4 teams would be assigned to a conference based on random lottery. So if the playoffs started today with this 6+2 system in place, we'd be looking at this:

East
1 Miami
2 Indiana
3 Chicago
4 Toronto
5 Brooklyn
6 Washington *could fall into wildcard race

West
1 San Spurs
2 Okc
3 Clippers
4 Rockets
5 Blazers
6 GSW

Wildcards

Dallas - clinched
Memphis - clinched
Phoenix - clinched
Minnesota
Charlotte
*Washington

We would have a 3 way race for the last wildcard seed between Charlotte Washington and Minnesota, and 3 obvious playoff caliber teams, Dallas\Memphis\Phx would be playoff bound.

Additionally, we would have the possibility of incredibly interesting 1st round matchups. Phx\Indiana, Miami/Dallas, San Antonio/Washington, etc

Someone could say but it's no fair that the Pacers would get stuck play Phx in the first round, or it's no fair that Miami would have to face, say, Memphis. But is it any more fair for San Antonio to play Memphis in the first round? Best team wins. This would get teams in that deserve to be in, and potentially even out the road to the finals.

not bad. i kinda like it. :cheers:

[Euroleague]

The NBA is copying the Euroleague.

[Mrofir]

not bad. i kinda like it. :cheers:

:cheers: I think there is room to polish it up but I think I'd much prefer the system to a wide open 16 that would basically eliminate the need for conferences at all.

[pauk]

:applause:

[kentatm]

what a shock that most of the people against this are fans of EC teams.

and :roll: at Miami fans wanting to stay with the status quo

[Shade8780]

i love this. get rid of conferences altogether.

[icewill36]

Yeah but who really wants to wait another 15 years? Hell, who wants to see more imbalance between conferences?

Silver's "idea" would ensure quality basketball in the regular season AND playoffs.. Every series and game.

Nobody should be opposed to this.

this does NOT ensure every series is quality. you are an idiot

[Mrofir]

:cheers: I think there is room to polish it up but I think I'd much prefer the system to a wide open 16 that would basically eliminate the need for conferences at all.


By system, to clarify -- I mean MY system, the 6+2. Not the open 16. Please check it out on previous page.. I'm curious to see who else would support it.

[FLDFSU]

according to your logic there should be about 5-6 teams in the playoffs.

No. Not at all. All teams that finish in the top 1/2 of their conference deserves to play for a ring.

All those teams that manage not to...don't.

:D

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

this does NOT ensure every series is quality. you are an idiot

Opposed to the system we have in place? I don't even think its debatable, but tell us otherwise clown... :lol

[DMAVS41]

this does NOT ensure every series is quality. you are an idiot


What?

A seeding 1 through 16 in the playoffs would absolutely ensure better and more interesting matchups from start to finish.

It's absolutely more fair and would yield great results. There is no downside to do thing so from the terms of balance and fairness.

[Mrofir]

1-16 would eliminate the conferences and divisions. We would see nba finals of 2 teams from the same conference about 50% of the time. Is the NBA interested in a Houston - San Antonio finals? Hell no, and you can't blame them. It would eliminate roadblock rivalries that have captured fans, like Sacramento-LA, Bulls-Pistons, or even Spurs-Suns.

There are many good reasons conferences exist, not just in the nba but in major sports the world over.

We don't need to blow up that system to solve this problem. The problem is sometimes there is an imbalance between the conference and some playoff caliber teams get left out while other bad teams get in. Just solve the problem, no need to abandon the entire system.

6+2!!!

READ IT!! It's on page 11

[ArbitraryWater]

http://www.basketwallpapers.com/Images-14/2014-NBA-Playoffs-Bracket-BasketWallpapers.com-.jpg


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BjiyVw9IMAARc5H.jpg

Any of the Idiots on here like FLDFSU wanna tell me this wouldnt make a difference?

[oarabbus]

No. Not at all. All teams that finish in the top 1/2 of their conference deserves to play for a ring.

All those teams that manage not to...don't.

:D

Brah are you dumb or trolling

[AnaheimLakers24]

hmmm wonder why cHeat/gay boy bran fans are against this
:lol
:lol































:lol

[Droid101]

Brah are you dumb or trolling
He posts the same garbage in every "top 16 teams" thread. He's a troll, and a dumb one at that.

It would be better for the league, and would actually help the East get stronger (their bad, under .500 teams would be getting lottery picks, instead of a team like Phoenix getting one).

It would help rivalries, since more of the best teams (that historically have the best rivalries) will meet more often. Plus, rivalries come and go. New ones would prop up to replace old ones that no longer matter.