SI has had enough - Playoff reform needed.

[Magic 32]

Don't blame the Hawks for this.

Instead, blame the NBA's flawed playoff format, which continues to undercut the quality of the league's postseason product. A few weeks back, there was much moaning, deservedly, about the Clippers facing the Spurs in the first round. That was only one side of the coin, though, and this frustratingly bland Eastern Conference finals was the other.

The NBA playoffs should be a thorough, ruthless process of separating the contenders from the pretenders. That's happening in the cutthroat West, but not in the wayward East. Taking the top eight teams from each conference, rather than the top 16 teams overall, costs basketball fans the best their game has to offer at every stage of the postseason. ​

Atlanta might have earned its trip to the conference finals, but it didn't deserve to be one of the NBA's final four teams. The Hawks were able to obtain a conference finals berth primarily by virtue of their geography. Their zip code benefits played a part in their success at every stage. Atlanta's first-round opponent, Brooklyn, finished 38-44, which was the worst record in the postseason and would have been tied for the 11th best record in the West. Atlanta's second-round opponent, Washington, finished 46-36, just one game better than the West's No. 8 seed.

Imagine the better, alternate world, where the NBA's 16 best teams make the playoffs. The Nets would have been on the outside looking in, rather than serving as soft first-round fodder for the Hawks. The Wizards would have been the No. 12 seed out of 16, meaning they would almost certainly have gone home in the first round, rather than producing a forgettable second-round series against the Hawks. Yes, Paul Pierce's three game-deciding shots made for great theater, but a real series shows its quality over 48-minute games rather 18 seconds worth of Vine loops. As for the Hawks, it's very hard to believe they would have won two series if they had to beat teams like the Clippers, Grizzlies, Spurs and others to get to the conference finals stage. They simply haven't been potent, disciplined or energetic enough.



http://www.si.com/nba/2015/05/23/leb...playoff-reform

[RoundMoundOfReb]

So the Cavs would still be in the ECF at least? Lmao

[LEFT4DEAD]

I dont see a difference. There would be still 90% chance of the Warriors-Cavs finals.

[plowking]

So we'd get a Cavs-Warriors final again?

SI has had enough though. They're taking charge.

[J Shuttlesworth]

This would have been a better scenario. This way, that hippie ****** Olynyk can't tear Love's shoulder out and the Cavs would sweep the entire playoffs.

[pauk]

Im all for that, perhaps a bit better basketball/competition.... but unfortunately it doesnt make any difference whatsoever for the later stages ECF / WCF as the better / same team will always win.... the two best teams will & would always have won their Conference Championships (go to the Finals) which is right now Cavs & Warriors (not official for Warriors, but come on, doubt Rockets win 4 games in a row).....

[Rocketswin2013]

If health is the same, Rockets can win that conference. Impossible to know for sure, but it's possible with homecourt over those teams.

[34-24 Footwork]

If this happens, LeBron will join a Western Conference team, for sure. Just kidding. But damn. Something HAS to happen.

The Eastern Conference finals was nothing short of awful and deplorable. Bulls/Cavs was disgusting. Bulls/bucks was awful. Celtics/Cavs was a scrimmage. Toronto/Washington was entertaining at times. Nets had NO business being in the playoffs.

[34-24 Footwork]

Im all for that, but unfortunately it doesnt make any difference whatsoever for the later stages ECF / WCF as the better / same team will always win.... the two best teams will & would always have won their Conference Championships (go to the Finals) which is right now Cavs & Warriors (not official for Warriors, but come on, doubt Rockets win 4 games in a row).....

Yes it does kiddo. But I understand your agenda.

[el gringos]

Dumb idea. Everything happens in cycles. I remember when the afc "would never be able to beat the NFC" in a Super Bowl

[Rocketswin2013]

Dumb idea. Everything happens in cycles. I remember when the afc "would never be able to beat the NFC" in a Super Bowl

The West just got the top 2 picks in a top-heavy draft. C'mon. Harden should've been traded to Washington for Beal when they had the chance and the Bobcats should've won that #1 pick and gotten Davis. Two huge moves. Seriously, the Bobcats got so shafted in the 2012 draft. People don't talk about it enough.

[Magic 32]

Dumb idea. Everything happens in cycles. I remember when the afc "would never be able to beat the NFC" in a Super Bowl

Cycles?

It's been 17 years and things are just getting worse.

[JimmyMcAdocious]

Nope. Don't want more fairness and better matchups.

[buddha]

lol @ thinking the Rockets would beat the Spurs.

Spurs vs Cavs semifinals would be juicy. also that setup would really allow the 4 best teams in the league to get to the semifinals.

but as long as LeBron is playing in the East this will never happen.

[JohnFreeman]

So we'd get a Cavs-Warriors final again?

SI has had enough though. They're taking charge.

This