If I could change the playoffs....

by dancingchiapet on Apr 27, 2008 12:38 PM PDT

This year, as we all know, the Warriors missed out on the playoffs despite having a better record than Cleveland. Also, Portland had a better record than certain Eastern playoff teams. And finally, Utah was a 4th seed because of winning its division even though by record they should be a 6th seed. In the case of Portland and Golden State, I feel it is completely unfair for teams with worse records (and easier schedules in the east) to have the opportunity to compete for the NBA Championship; they don't deserve it more in anyway.

Right now the division champions are determined by season record standings, and given a top 4 seed in the playoffs.

The conference champion is determined by who makes it to the NBA finals.

My changes would be the following:

Division champion is a regular season award based on record with no connection to playoff seeding.

Conference champion is a regular season award based on record with no connection to playoff seeding.

ONE playoff bracket combining both conferences with the top 16 teams overall seeded purely by record. This would be much more exciting because, like in college, come playoff time your team can end up playing any number of possible opponents. If this was the format today, here is how the match ups would look.

1 Boston

16 Portland

8 Utah

9 Orlando

5 San Antonio

12 Golden State

4 New Orleans

13 Cleveland

3 L.A. Lakers

14 Washington

6 Houston

11 Denver

7 Phoenix

10 Dallas

2 Detroit

15 Toronto

The next step after this would be making regular season schedules I bit more equal, but that change would be much farther down the road.

I think these playoffs would be 10 times more exciting. Maybe someday this will be adopted.

This FanPost is a submission from a member of the mighty Golden State of Mind community. While we're all here to throw up that W, these words do not necessarily reflect the views of the GSoM Crew. Still, chances are the preceding post is Unstoppable Baby!

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Comments

I

feel u. But the commish will not let this happen

brb, going to ORACLE

by warrior510 on Apr 27, 2008 1:34 PM PDT reply actions

I'm still waiting for...

NaS’s changes if he ruled the world… imagin that!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzY6OUo6zn8&feature=related

by Tony.psd on Apr 27, 2008 2:25 PM PDT reply actions

I think

that you need to give some kind of reward for winning the division. Even if they aren’t guaranteed home court, they should still at least be guaranteed a playoff berth.

And who cares, I’m just biding the time until the East becomes loaded and we can sneak our way into the 8th spot with a losing record.

by belilaugh on Apr 27, 2008 2:53 PM PDT reply actions

Here's the problem

That would be so much better this year. But over the course of many seasons, so much is lost, most notably rivalries (and some good 1st round match ups) you no longer end up with the Spurs vs Suns and the Wiz vs. Cavs every year. you never have a series like the old Bulls vs. Pistons that happens every year and develops a huge rivalry.

I wish the Warriors were in the playoffs, but I’m not sure this is the answer.

by bradyk2 on Apr 27, 2008 3:49 PM PDT reply actions

it sounds good now

but its a very dumb idea. if it works like this nobody in the east will practically be in the playoffs. and only way to make it sound good is if all teams play each other equally since you want a equal playoff handicap. and you will be crying and moaning when the east gets stacked again and the west starts to suck. and you will be like oh the playoffs needs to be west version east version so we can be in the playoffs.

So I don't have a signature well these words would do! Who knew that upgrades can have downgrades too!

by 24k state fan since 87 on Apr 27, 2008 4:01 PM PDT reply actions

we'll be waiting a long time

for the west to suck and the east to be stacked

"i'm just trying to follow my dream, dad."
"but your dream is stupid!"

by pervisNeverNervous on Apr 28, 2008 11:10 AM PDT reply actions

Why.

Would they change it? Because we didn’t make it this year? 1st time ever that that this has happened. Only our fans are making it a problem.

by ejdacanay on May 1, 2008 11:24 PM PDT reply actions

We should really just do this...

Give the Warriors the #1 seed every year because they’re awesome. And don’t let anybody else in the playoffs. They’d go on an unprecedented dynasty of championships.

Seriously… there’s nothing wrong with the system. We were in the BOTTOM HALF of our division. We didn’t deserve to go to the playoffs. There were 8 better teams that did. Get over it already.

by Dubs fan in Boston on May 2, 2008 12:28 PM PDT reply actions

How about?

Let’s re-align the league as North vs. South. I haven’t figured out which team would end up where, but maybe a more motivated person out there could figure it out.

I don’t know. I’m just bored right now.

I pray i never have to use a gun again.

by ssmokinjoe on May 2, 2008 11:14 PM PDT reply actions