It should be no conferences, top 16 teams in playoffs

1. San Antonio
16. Minnesota

8. Golden State
9. Memphis

5. Miami Heat
12. Chicago

4. LA Clippers
13. Toronto

3. Indiana
14. Brooklyn

6. Houston Rockets
11. Phoenix

7. Portland
10. Dallas

2. Oklahoma City
15. Washington

If it was like this, there would only be 2 teams from the East in the top 11 playoff teams and only 6 overall. :roll:

There would only be two teams from the East in the second round.... Indiana and Miami

And there is no way LeBron and Miami's overrated asses would make it to the Finals without an easy road to the playoffs like they normally have in the East. They would face the Clippers in the second round, the Spurs in the third round, then probably OKC or Indiana in the finals..

This would be so much more interesting with better teams playing each other sooner and way better playoff matchups... instead of having to watch a bunch of shitty teams from the East every year that have no business being in the playoffs.

Anybody else want to see this format instead?

Should stay how it is in my opinion.

Shut up, Charles.

Nope. The NBA already does the best job of crowning the rightful champion. There are no flukes, unlike pretty much every other major sport. A hot pitcher or hot goalie can't carry you to a title, nor is it decided by one and done like the Super Bowl or NCAA.

Sounds like fun

a laker fan crying about the heat. whats new

why change something that is not broken

[QUOTE=ForeverHeat]Should stay how it is in my opinion.[/QUOTE]

I have to ask, how could you possibly want this?

A system that goes against a core value of sports: winning more than others.

[QUOTE=mr.big35]why change something that is not broken[/QUOTE]
[COLOR="White"]yup[/COLOR]

They really should change it.

The best East teams have an easy road to the Finals / ECF (and don't say the Heat played a lot of games before the Finals last year. That just proves my point).

It'll be even worse this year.

[QUOTE=ZenMaster]I have to ask, how could you possibly want this?

A system that goes against a core value of sports: winning more than others.[/QUOTE]

So? There are 16 teams in each conference. All you have to do is finish in the top 50%. If you cant do that then whats the point of being in the playoffs anyway?

[QUOTE=mr.big35]why change something that is not broken[/QUOTE]

because instead of watching the miami heat play the ****ing charlotte bobcats then chicago bulls in the second round, you can watch them play chicago in the first round then the clippers...

the playoffs would be a million times more entertaining in terms of match ups

But then the Heat would get to beat up on the West and take the number one seed...

I dunno, but what they SHOULD have is a play-in format. Top 6 (or 7) seeds are decided by conference just like it is now. The remaining teams, regardless of conference, play in for the final spots.

[QUOTE=selrahc]because instead of watching the miami heat play the ****ing charlotte bobcats then chicago bulls in the second round, you can watch them play chicago in the first round then the clippers...

the playoffs would be a million times more entertaining in terms of match ups[/QUOTE]
This.
I don't see how anyone with at least half a brain could oppose this change.
The Eastern conferense is shit outside of two teams and you all know it.

[QUOTE=ForeverHeat]So? There are 16 teams in each conference. All you have to do is finish in the top 50%. If you cant do that then whats the point of being in the playoffs anyway?[/QUOTE]

Again, winning more than others is what team sports have always been about.

The NBA system of inferior teams getting rewarded is unique compared to other serious sports leagues.

There are 32 teams in the league, all you have to do is finish top 50%. If you can't do that what's the point of being in the playoffs anyway?

[QUOTE=T_L_P]They really should change it.

The best East teams have an easy road to the Finals / ECF (and don't say the Heat played a lot of games before the Finals last year. That just proves my point).

It'll be even worse this year.[/QUOTE]

Then those superior west teams should have no problem clown stumping those inferior east teams come finals time.

[QUOTE=selrahc]because instead of watching the miami heat play the ****ing charlotte bobcats then chicago bulls in the second round, you can watch them play chicago in the first round then the clippers...

the playoffs would be a million times more entertaining in terms of match ups[/QUOTE]
This.
I don't see how anyone with at least half a brain could oppose this change.
The Eastern conferense is shit outside of two teams and you all know it.

[QUOTE]The East has it easy[/QUOTE]
*Looks at Bulls*

Yep easy

[QUOTE=FLDFSU]Then those superior west teams should have no problem clown stumping those inferior east teams come finals time.[/QUOTE]
No because only the ELITE eastern teams can get there and since there are only two of those that teams path to the finals is EASY compared to the west finalist.

Really... Was that too hard for you to realize it by yourself??

[QUOTE=selrahc]because instead of watching the miami heat play the ****ing charlotte bobcats then chicago bulls in the second round, you can watch them play chicago in the first round then the clippers...

the playoffs would be a million times more entertaining in terms of match ups[/QUOTE]

So?

And the Pacers get to play the Hawks and then the Raptors.

Why do we not care who the Pacers play?

[QUOTE=FLDFSU]So?

And the Pacers get to play the Hawks and then the Raptors.

Why do we not care who the Pacers play?[/QUOTE]

we do.

the hawks suck dick.

instead they could be playing the brooklyn nets first round then the houston rockets in the second

[QUOTE=ZenMaster]Again, winning more than others is what team sports have always been about.

[B]The NBA system of inferior teams getting rewarded is unique compared to other serious sports leagues.[/B]

There are 32 teams in the league, all you have to do is finish top 50%. If you can't do that what's the point of being in the playoffs anyway?[/QUOTE]

There are far more superior teams that play in the NFC than the AFC in the NFL. The Arizona Cardinals was superior to both the Colts, Chiefs, and Chargers.

And many believe the 49ers was superior to every AFC team.

Life isn't fair.

[QUOTE=selrahc]because instead of watching the miami heat play the ****ing charlotte bobcats then chicago bulls in the second round, you can watch them play chicago in the first round then the clippers...

the playoffs would be a million times more entertaining in terms of match ups[/QUOTE]

this is not going to work you would have first round of teams playing against a team in the west coast. this would bad for traveling. playoffs would be alot longer and not good quality of games.

[QUOTE=FLDFSU]There are far more superior teams that play in the NFC than the AFC in the NFL. The Arizona Cardinals was superior to both the Colts, Chiefs, and Chargers.

And many believe the 49ers was superior to every AFC team.

Life isn't fair.[/QUOTE]

You haven't made an argument for it yet that doesn't take root in "it's just the way it is".

Life isn't fair, but right now the NBA has a chance to make their league setup as fair as can be: best teams move compete for more.

[QUOTE=OmniStrife]No because only the ELITE eastern teams can get there and since there are only two of those that teams path to the finals is EASY compared to the west finalist.

Really... Was that too hard for you to realize it by yourself??[/QUOTE]

Who cares? Lets assume you are correct. The Elite Eastern conference teams have it easier.

At the end of the day, in order for those elite Eastern conference teams to achieve their goals...they have to go through the champion of the "superior" west.

[QUOTE=FLDFSU]Who cares? Lets assume you are correct. The Elite Eastern conference teams have it easier.

At the end of the day, in order for those elite Eastern conference teams to achieve their goals...they have to go through the champion of the "superior" west.[/QUOTE]


Yeah, after the champion of the West has been ravaged round after round by tough teams.

[QUOTE=FLDFSU]So?

And the Pacers get to play the Hawks and then the Raptors.

Why do we not care who the Pacers play?[/QUOTE]

Ahh I missed this post, you're assuming other people don't like the east/west system because they don't like the Miami Heat as a team. You made it a fan agenda thing...it's not.

Definitely. Increases competition, better teams get to make the playoffs, and worse teams get a try at a draft pick.

Can you imagine if Dallas or Phoenix didn't make the playoffs... then won the lottery? That's not going to help with parity. The current system HURTS parity because several very good West teams are getting lottery picks every year, and a bunch of garbage East teams are making the playoffs and not getting a good pick.

[QUOTE=ZenMaster]You haven't made an argument for it yet that doesn't take root in "it's just the way it is".

Life isn't fair, but right now the NBA has a chance to make their league setup as fair as can be: best teams move compete for more.[/QUOTE]

I guess I fail to see the point. If the west is superior, then the west team will b*tch slap the eastern team comes the finals.

Should the University of Georgia football team complain that they have to play in the SEC?

No. If UGA cannot beat Alabama in the SEC championship, then who cares that they could beat Notre Dame should they meet in the Championship?

The point is...UGA is not the best team. If they were, they would be Champions.

[QUOTE=oarabbus]Yeah, after the champion of the West has been ravaged round after round by tough teams.[/QUOTE]

Meh. Man up. Your either the best team or you're not.

I care not that the 49ers could have beaten the Broncos if they were to meet in the Superbowl.

The fact is...you couldn't beat the Seahawks.

What a gutless wimp FLDFSU is.

If the East was stacked with great teams, he'd be crying for a rule change so that the Heat wouldn't be the one facing all the good teams while OKC got to sweep past garbage.

Id like the change for the all the reasons already stated..Pacers would be a 3rd seed...Id love to see them play somebody other than the Hawks....Feels like we play them every year...

Only issue I have is travel. Picture that format with the Knicks playing the Lakers the 1st round, then Golden State. Or the Lakers playing the Knicks the 1st round, then having to play Boston. In terms of travel, the current system is much better.

[QUOTE=D.J.]Only issue I have is travel. Picture that format with the Knicks playing the Lakers the 1st round, then Golden State. Or the Lakers playing the Knicks the 1st round, then having to play Boston. In terms of travel, the current system is much better.[/QUOTE]
Is it?

What if Portland meets Memphis?

It's really not a big deal anymore, with planes being what they are these days.

[QUOTE=ZenMaster]Ahh I missed this post, you're assuming other people don't like the east/west system because they don't like the Miami Heat as a team. You made it a fan agenda thing...it's not.[/QUOTE]

Well, the only team the OP is mentioning are the Heat.

[QUOTE=Droid101]Is it?

What if Portland meets Memphis?

It's really not a big deal anymore, with planes being what they are these days.[/QUOTE]


It is a big deal. East Coast to West Coast is still 5-6 hours. You can make up to 5 trips if it goes all 7 games. The reason the current system has remained in tact is to avoid traveling issues. Being in New York and traveling to Miami or Detroit is a lot different than having to travel to LA or Oakland.

[QUOTE=Droid101]What a gutless wimp FLDFSU is.

If the East was stacked with great teams, he'd be crying for a rule change so that the Heat wouldn't be the one facing all the good teams while OKC got to sweep past garbage.[/QUOTE]

I am a wimp?

I am not the one complaining about the western team "having a harder path" to the finals.

Man up. If your western team is better...then in the finals they will prove it.

Stop making excuses.

[QUOTE=D.J.]It is a big deal. East Coast to West Coast is still 5-6 hours. You can make up to 5 trips if it goes all 7 games. The reason the current system has remained in tact is to avoid traveling issues. Being in New York and traveling to Miami or Detroit is a lot different than having to travel to LA or Oakland.[/QUOTE]
I'm just saying, that it still happens anyway. Golden State and New Orleans? Yuck.

Changing it to seeding would mean some matchups would suck still (NY to Cali), but some would actually get better (Milwaukee to Minny, Chicago to Memphis, etc).

[QUOTE=FLDFSU]I am a wimp?

I am not the one complaining about the western team "having a harder path" to the finals.

Man up. If your western team is better...then in the finals they will prove it.

Stop making excuses.[/QUOTE]
This isn't about my Western team. This is about liking to watch the best teams play the best teams to see who wins. Nobody who lives outside of Georgia wants to see Atlanta in the playoffs over the Suns. Nobody.