Quote Originally Posted by kuniva_dAMiGhTy
How do you know that, though? Sure SA/DAL (or SA/PHX) and OKC/MEM, will probably be short series, but are they NOT physically taxing?

Having a tougher road to the finals (where physicality, defense and intensity picks up) matters, IMO.
I agree the road is tougher, but I don't see Miami or Indiana not come out on top against those same teams. Both teams have been battle tested in the past and would takeout any low seed in the West.

Yes, it sucks that the competition in the East got killed by injuries. If the Hawks , Bulls, Nets, and Knicks were healthy all year and didn't lose their top players for the season, they could have at least made the first couple of rounds interesting. But I don't see the system being broken because of it.

Would I like to see the absolute best compete ? Yes, I'm down for it. But it just wouldn't happen in a practical and convenience for the league. Also, as I said before, Indiana and Miami would still go deep and be very likely to reach the Finals.