In 1981, the two WCF teams (Kansas City Kings and Houston Rockets) were both 40-42

[RRR3]

...in the regular season.



What the actual fukc.

[Axe]

So first-round byes didn't help the top-seeded western teams during that time?

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

Kansas City had a nice looking court.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUwFUq5CBO0

[SouBeachTalents]

The Showtime Lakers lost to those 40 win Rockets teams, with Magic going 2/14 in the deciding Game 3

[Roundball_Rock]

The Showtime Lakers lost to those 40 win Rockets teams, with Magic going 2/14 in the deciding Game 3

Yeah back then the first round was 3 games. The shorter the series, the more likely the fluke outcome.

The other thing to consider is win totals were not inflated in the 60's, 70's or even the 80's like they have been since the expansion of the late 80's and 90's. You could win 49 games and have the third best record in the NBA. There was more parity as each individual team was stronger than they are when you have 30 teams.

[97 bulls]

I believe that happened alot in the 80s. In 86, half the teams that made the playoffs were under .500. Some well under .500.

[ArbitraryWater]

I believe that happened alot in the 80s. In 86, half the teams that made the playoffs were under .500. Some well under .500.

lol how is that even mathematically possible

it obvious is but damn, there needs to be a HUGE disparity between the top 3-4 teams and the rest for that to happen

[Roundball_Rock]

lol how is that even mathematically possible

it obvious is but damn, there needs to be a HUGE disparity between the top 3-4 teams and the rest for that to happen

In the 80's 16 of 23 teams would make the playoffs. Today it is 16 of 30. The analogue today would be 10.5 teams per conference making it, so think about how the playoffs would look if the 11th place team was in. Last year that would mean the 32 win Wizards and 36 win Wolves would have made it. This year the 22-43 Bulls and 28-36 Kings would.

Number of playoff teams over time:

1970: 8
1975: 10
1980: 12
1985: 16

As recently as 1983 only 12 teams made it.

[97 bulls]

That's why it's hard to compare eras. Theres so many variables to consider. Fun, but hard.