Top 16 teams go, no conference standings. Just like college basketball, best teams go to the Big Dance
As much as I like this idea, it is something that will likely never happen because of the money involved. Like everything in sports (i.e. College football, BCS v. playoffs), the NBA owners in the East are not going to want to lose the extra money that comes with selling playoff games, merchandise, etc.
the other night, i didn't agree with what barkley said about us not being good team, even though we have won 60% of our games. usually 60% is good....in MLB (for 162 - 97 wins) NFL (for 16 - 10 wins) NBA (for 82 - 49.2 wins) on most years that's enough in every sport to at least make it to the playoffs, in baseball and football that's enough to win a division. although not great for basketball, i can't think of the last time at team was knocking at 50 wins and didn't make it to playoffs.
Radical realignment! Northern Conference Boston Celtics Chicago Bulls Cleveland Cavaliers Denver Nuggets Detroit Pistons Indiana Pacers Milwaukee Bucks Minnesota Timberwolves New Jersey Nets New York Knicks Philadelphia 76ers Portland Trail Blazers Seattle SuperSonics Toronto Raptors Utah Jazz Southern Conference Atlanta Hawks Charlotte Bobcats Dallas Mavericks Houston Rockets Los Angeles Clippers Los Angeles Lakers Memphis Grizzlies Miami Heat New Orleans Hornets Orlando Magic Phoenix Suns Sacramento Kings San Antonio Spurs Washington Wizards No divisions. Top eight in each conference go to traditional playoffs.
Look at this poll result on ESPN: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/fp/flashPollResultsState?sportIndex=nba&pollId=53390
and then we realign all over again when the balance of power starts leaning heavy to one conference? just take the top 16 teams. seed them 1-16.
I LOL at anyone who suggests the best 65 teams are in the NCAA basketball tournament at the end of the year.
you're right. they have automatic bids that mean some teams in weaker conferences get in. i still love that event, though. but when you take the top 16 every year...no matter what arbitrary or geographic conference distinction you make for them...then you get the best teams every year.
OK so what would that do? The northern conference still only has 4 good teams which is the same problem we have now with the east
