Thursday, April 2, 2009

Coming Around on the NBA's Changes to Playoff Format

If you don't know, the NBA is looking at dramatic changes to the playoff format. They are using the NBDL for a trial run and could make the change in the League for 2010.

The new format would allow division winners to pick what teams they would want to play in their first round series. At first, I thought this was a stupid idea that was one of those wild-hairs-in-David-Stern's-bum thoughts.

But the more I think about it, it isn't that bad of an idea.

Sometimes the matchup is a bad one for you. Do you think the Orlando Magic want to see the Detroit Pistons in the first round again? Say the Charlotte Bobcats kept up their hot streak and squeaked into the playoffs. Do you think the Cavaliers would rather see a sluggish Bulls squad instead?

It will be interesting to see how this works in the NBDL.

1 comment:

Smashmauf said...

I don't know about that; it seems like a bad idea to me. It does not really improve the competition level and it will end up creating so much problems; especially if a team like Cleveland chooses to play Miami instead of Chicago. Maybe this could be entertaining in the NBDL but it is highly doubtful it would work in the NBA. I'd rather they combine all the Playoff teams in both Conferences and then put them in a bracket based on record. They can even add a play-in game for fun in both Conferences to determine the (now) 8th seeds. That's better.