The play-in needs RESTRICTIONS.

[StrongLurk]

I actually don't mind the idea of a play-in tournament to make the playoffs, but it should be completely dependent on how close the low seeds are.

The 7-10 seeds out East are all within two games of each other so the play-in makes sense.

Out West, they aren't even close. Timberwolves have 43 wins (7 seed) and Clips have 37 wins (8 seed). The Pels are 4 games behind the 8th seed and Lakers/Spurs are 6 games behind the 8th seed...so there shouldn't even be a play-in tournament for the West at this pace.

Hopefully the NBA will change the rules going forward to have record restrictions.

[beasted]

I like the concept. A team 6-7 games behind an 8th seed deserve no right to potentially injure guys heading into games that really matter.

Stacks the deck even more for the 1st seed.

[L.Kizzle]

Also they gave 7 and 8 playing and 9 and 10 seeds.
Should be 7 and 10 and 8 and 9.
They have the 2 best team facing off and the 2 worst.
Give the teams with the better records the better shots at advancing.

[Johnny32]

not happening. the whole point of the play-in is more interest in the end of the season and possibly make some teams less likely to tank.

[Johnny32]

Also they gave 7 and 8 playing and 9 and 10 seeds.
Should be 7 and 10 and 8 and 9.
They have the 2 best team facing off and the 2 worst.
Give the teams with the better records the better shots at advancing.

then what happens if 9 beats 8 and 10 beats 7?

[Johnny32]

the 7/8 seeds have to lose twice to not get in. and the 9/10s have to win twice. that is the clear best way.

[beasted]

the 7/8 seeds have to lose twice to not get in. and the 9/10s have to win twice. that is the clear best way.

True. But there needs to be a cutoff point. 1-8 upsets are already super unlikely. Having a team 7 games under .500 play a 1st seed is effectively a waste of TV.

I think the underdog story always makes good TV, and without a cutoff point, they are essentially eliminating the possibility.

[Manny98]

The play in needs to go, period

[SouBeachTalents]

Honestly, there should be a winning record requirement. If you're unable to finish top 8 in your conference AND unable to finish with a winning record, you don't deserve an opportunity to make the playoffs.

If you do finish outside the top 8 with a winning record, I'm honestly ok with a play-in.

[FultzNationRISE]

Honestly, there should be a winning record requirement. If you're unable to finish top 8 in your conference AND unable to finish with a winning record, you don't deserve an opportunity to make the playoffs.

If you do finish outside the top 8 with a winning record, I'm honestly ok with a play-in.


Well remember the whole idea of this was to keep fringe teams competing til the end rather than tanking for more ping pong balls.

So to that end you want to make it as feasible as possible they can get a playoff spot.

But I agree it’s a drawback that clear-cut 7th and 8th seeds have to play an extra game against undeserving teams before beginning a full series vs a higher seed.

No real perfect solutions to it as far as I can tell.

[Full Court]

Forget restrictions - they just need to do away with the play-in altogether. You either made eighth seed or you didn't. And if you didn't, no playoffs.

[Real Men Wear Green]

It started out as an attempt to corrrect unbalanced schedules from covid but that purpose is past. Now it's about making money. May not be fair but thats why the whole league exists. May as well let them entertain us.

[Johnny32]

Forget restrictions - they just need to do away with the play-in altogether. You either made eighth seed or you didn't. And if you didn't, no playoffs.

i agree with this. i think it's dumb but if they're going to do it it obviously has to be for both conferences with no minimum games behind requirement.

[SouBeachTalents]

It started out as an attempt to corrrect unbalanced schedules from covid but that purpose is past. Now it's about making money. May not be fair but thats why the whole league exists. May as well let them entertain us.
Same reason the NFL added that DREADFUL 2/7 wildcard game in the playoffs. But as long as fans continue to watch, I have no doubt these leagues will continue to advocate for more mediocre teams to be eligible for the playoffs. Won't be long before we get a 1/8 wildcard game in the NFL.

[RRR3]

The play in needs to go, period
+1. Silver is horrendous.

[WhiteKyrie]

Forget restrictions - they just need to do away with the play-in altogether. You either made eighth seed or you didn't. And if you didn't, no playoffs.

Bingo. Didn’t think this was a wheel needing reinventing. And please go back to best of 5 first round. We don’t need to see the lesser seeds trying THAT hard and just padding people’s all time accumulative numbers.

[insight]

The play in needs to go, period

This has been the most competitive season in recent memory. Several teams made trades late to try to make playoff runs instead of a bunch of buyout with players going to one or two teams trying to get a championship.
Most fans wouldn't even be watching the last few weeks of the NBA because teams that made it in already would be resting their players and teams that couldn't get to 8, were looking to improve their draft order.

IMO the play in tournament is good for the league and good for competition. Do you think Zion, AD or Kwahi and PG would try to make it back this season without a playin?

[ArbitraryWater]

Honestly, there should be a winning record requirement. If you're unable to finish top 8 in your conference AND unable to finish with a winning record, you don't deserve an opportunity to make the playoffs.

If you do finish outside the top 8 with a winning record, I'm honestly ok with a play-in.

100% against this tbh

[John_Connor]

I think the 1981 Lakers lost in the first round after 2 losses to the rockets. that was basically a play in type anything could happen BS outcome