1) How do they come up with the schedule? 2) Do the teams get any input? 3) How is it that we have to face a running team like Phoenix on the 2nd of a back to back the first three times we face them ....
the national tv games are somewhat determined by previous year's records and the team's popularity that's all i know. and there will not be more than 3 games on thursday because of tnt.
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association To answer 1) They also take into consideration the teams that are close together. That's why you hear about teams going into the "Texas Triangle" on a road trip (ie. if they have a road game against Dallas, chances are their next games will be against SA and Houston.) 2) Umm... No, unless some team is playing the NYK's 82 times this season. 3) It just happens. I'm sure their is some kind of software they use to make the schedule depending on all the factors above with complicated complex calculations composed of commands commanding creation of a crazy schedule including commercializing co-rival games on national tv.
On teams having input, there is little input from teams regarding stadium availability. For example, the Chicago Bulls were on what was called the Circus Road Trip because the circus was using their stadium.
The schedule dates are, I think, mostly computerized, but some dates (think Christmas Heat-Lakers game) are probably fixed by the NBA so that they can get top ratings on a certain day. Rockets having Jazz at the start and end of the season probably isn't a coincedence either. Oh yeah, last night's game featuring two big men probably was deliberatly set up with the Warriors-Wizards two points guards (Arenas and Davis).
on nba tv they actually interviewed the guy that makes the schedule. he said it takes like 8 months to figure everything out. him and his team have to check: 1. what dates arena's are available. 2. what dates teams are available. 3. where teams will be coming from and having to travel next (to make traveling as easy as possible. the schedule must be balanced according to: 1. the amount of times you are supposed to play division, conference and out-of-conference teams. 2. certain rules about traveling time and distances. 3. amount of games allowed at home of on the road 4. rules about length of road trips and home stands. 5. rules about amount of games played in consecutive nights. so you see, it's amazing that there is even a schedule. no team is ever happy with it. most teams send in complaints or suggestions and it's taken into account when making the follwing years schedule. all in all the guy said after the schedule is releaced him and his team take about 2 months off then start on the next seasons schedule.
I like the NBA Schedule. Its cool how we can play the eastern conference and the east can play the west. We are the only sport that does that. The only thing i think the NBA should change is how seeding works. It should be winners of the divisions ranked by record and then a wild card team.
Thanks smoothie. I feel I didn't waste my time on the board today This indeed is a mazing work. I can see there are quite some work that can be programmed to be done by software. However, it also has so many factors, conditions, requirements that can not be computerized. No wonder it takes them 8 months. I like the job.
What also has to be taken into consideration is how there are a total of 4 time zones to consider. Take, for example, if Boston wants to play Seattle. Do you realize how late the poor Boston children have to stay up to view a Celtic game? This causes a Laker home game against the Celtics to be played like at 7, not 8, at night. Like this, it is over at about 11:30 or 12, not 1 o'clock in the morning. Teams in the midwest and central divisions have easier times going to far East and far West venues to play. I hear Mexico might get a franchise soon? Like... oh, I don't know... Monterrey? That's close to Texas.
That is how the seeding works now. 3 division winners and a wild card are ranked 1-4 based on record. The four next-best teams get 5-8. But I know what you mean about East Vs. West - an NBA team plays every other team in its league every year, while other sports take as much as 4 years to make the full tour.
