Hollinger: How to fix playoffs

Last years finals were great.

This year just sucks because spurs, and even though lebron has cool commercials he just really isnt that exciting of a basketball player.

Next year will be better hopefully

 

i'll admit spurs is a problem for ratings, but its also true that people lost interest in the finals because its such a non-competitive series. spurs can easily walk over cleveland if houston can do it as well.

I mean this year is especially worse because cleveland is quite possibly the 4th best team in the mighty east while SA is clearly the#1 team in the league.

stupid frekin stern will never agree to a seeding format of 1-16 in which comference champs would mean virtually nothing, so perhaps he'll listen to hollinger's proposal, to which I wholeheartedly agrees.

 

Just take the top 8 seeds from each conference. Throw them into a tournament and seed them accordingly. 1-16 and do it like the NCAA. Make the Number One Seed play the Number 16 seed and so on. Problem solved.

 

What do the conferences really mean anymore anyway? They're just arbitrary assignments based on a teams geographic location. Its not like either the Eastern or western conference is just going to up and quit one day if they don't like whats going on. Its all the NBA, so it all should be treated the same way.

 

If they are so good, they shouldn't have the problem of getting these championships under the new system.

Alas, I bet they won't get it because they won't be that lucky.

 

Great? I think it sucked. Referees completely controlled the game.

If I were a referee, I can guarantee a championship for whatever team and my calls will follow the rules actually.

For example, if I want Cavalier to win the next 3 games? easy, just call Duncan 2 quick fouls in the first 3 minutes, that's easy to do. I am pretty sure Duncan will make at least 2 fouls strictly based on the rule, it is a contact sports anyway, but of course in most cases, referees won't call it.

Once Duncan comes back, I will make another quick foul call against him and put him on the bench. If he plays the 3rd quarter and Cavaliers are still behind, I then make another foul call against Duncan, so easyyyyyy. And I will make all the right calls for sure. Oh, then once Cavalier starts leading, I will make some makeup calls, easyyyy, it shows I am unbiased.

 

Um, anyone else notice how the Rockets were actually the 4th seed?
That means they would play Chicago instead of miami.

 

I think Hollinger might be mentally handicapped. Worst (expletive deleted) idea I've ever heard.

 

I definately think there should be a seeding change in both west and east. I also noticed that the East has won the last 2 out of 3 championships.

However, it could all be a fluke as Western champion has to work extra hard to get there by the time final comes, they are all tired and exhausted. This maybe an excuse, but the ratings for the eastern finals are definately bad and not watchable.

NBA could do something like the NCAA with four regions instead of two. It allows 2 more teams to get a semi championship in their own region and also mix things up a bit.

put the top 4 teams in both east and west in the top seed of each 4 regions. That way you pretty much can guarantee the final 4 teams will be exciting to watch.

Currently these eastern teams were not built to beat every western teams, but instead to beat the eastern teams plus enough depth to out last the western champ.

 

They should divide the league into two or three levels, like what they do in the soccer world. Include the D-league as the lowest level. Each year, the two worst teams in Division A get demoted to Division B and the best two teams in B get promoted to A. And get rid of the West and East conferences.

Only teams in A compete for the real championship. And only teams in A can participate in the lottery. That would make the playoffs much more competitive. And it would get rid of tanking too. Refs could be promoted or demoted according to their performance.

 

I doubt they would ever really think about this...BUT what if they dropped East/West and went with an AFC-AL/NFC=NL format. That negate the effect of one region of the country being more attractive to free agents.
Conference 1
New York
Boston
Toronto
Detroit
Miami

Indiana
New Orleans
Dallas
Chicago
San Antonio

Seattle
Phoenix
Clippers
Sacramento
Denver


Conference 2
Philadelphia
New Jersey
Cleveland
Washington
Orlando

Milwaukee
Atlanta
Minnesota
Memphis
Charlotte

Portland
Lakers
Golden State
Houston
Utah

Not the greatest idea considering the AFC and AL are both much stronger than their respected counterparts.

 

I wonder how this would affect the TV ratings in the East coast. After the first round, there would be no East fans to root for a home team.

I guess the East coast could have Desperate Housewives reruns while the West has the real playoffs?

 

You don't root for your region. You root for you team. If your team sucks, it doesn't matter if the teams in your region are playing.

 

I find it funny
people screamed for more TEAM BALL
Tired of the ONE MAN TEAMS
well. . .. the spurs are the Epitome of TEAM BALL
and
now everyone is saying it is BORING

Be careful what you wish for

Rocket River

 

I know a lot of people who root for Texas. In fact, I'm one of them. I always root for Texas in the playoffs (though I did root for the Suns over the Spurs).



And if the Rockets can't win it, go other Texas team!

 

If the east sucks so bad -- how have they won 2 out of the last 3 -->?

 

The east has a much easier road to the finals wouldn't you say. A trip through the West and you are beating the Spurs, Phoenix, or Dallas.

 

Last year the Mavs beat Memphis, San Antonio, and a Amare-less Suns team.

 

Because being a horrible conference doesn't preclude a singular team from being good enough to win the title. Besides, seven of nine is probably more indicative of the balance of power post-lockout than two of three.

It's not that the Spurs are that boring - it's watching them dismantle a team clearly their inferior that's boring.