Questions about NBA playoffs

[gamecockcat]

1. When did they start the play-in games and 10 from each conference?
2. Doesn't that make the regular season, already way too long, even less relevant? I mean NO and SA were BOTH <.500 (I think SA was 14 games below and NO 12 games below and they're in the playoffs?). SA won barely more than 40% of their games. Will MLB let a team that goes 66-96 into the playoffs? Ridiculous. Not sure that a 7-10 NFL team could make the playoffs unless their division was just absolutely dreadful. I guess it's possible.
3. Starting the playoffs in early April and ending in mid-June wasn't enough playoff basketball?

I heard some ideas on lessening the frequency of 'load management' from talking heads. One thought lengthening the season was a good idea - not more games, just fewer games each week so the season itself would be about a month longer. Yikes!

 

[Gromcat]

Never heard of’m.

 

[ganner918]

Play in started a couple years ago. They're doing it in part to discourage tanking, because if you're in 10th place you might get in the playoffs.

 

[StubbornPenny]

I think the play in's first year was the 2021 season. Sub 500 teams have made the playoffs for years and years, so that's nothing new. I guess it's fine for TV or fans or whatever, but I don't like it because it encourages teams like the Lakers or Nets to only play well enough to get in then take it from there. Obviously didn't work for the Lakers this year, but it's kinda silly to see the Durant/Irving Nets as a 7 seed. Nets didn't care one bit about Irving sitting out because they only truly need him for the playoffs.

As far as stopping tanking, I don't think it works there either. Most teams in the play in position have no real chance anyway. If owners still want to tank, they just tank harder. Who in management wants a pointless playoff run instead of a higher pick?

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Jesus I'm just happy to have something new to discuss.

 

[AGEE11]

Kind of silly to play 82 games and earn the 7 or 8 seed to only lose it on an off night.

OAD in college is one thing, pro sports is another thing entirely

 

[kywildcats8]

Kind of silly to play 82 games and earn the 7 or 8 seed to only lose it on an off night.

OAD in college is one thing, pro sports is another thing entirely

I believe if you play in the 7/8 game and lose you get to play the winner of the 9/10 game to see who would be the 8 seed- go Suns !!!

 

[breeztheel]

Hornets vs Hawks sucked and the Hornets will always suck as long as MJ runs things. He was a great player but owner, not so much. Nets and Cavs game sucked also. However, the other 2 games were fantastic. Timberwolves played great and fans were so into it. Same with Pelicans. So the Hornets are the only team eliminated so far. .Clips vs Pels and Hawks vs Cavs will decide the 8th seeds. Can't wait to watch.

 

[rick64]

Follow the $$$.

 

[ganner918]

I believe if you play in the 7/8 game and lose you get to play the winner of the 9/10 game to see who would be the 8 seed- go Suns !!!

Yes - it's double elimination for teams 7 or 8, single elimination for 9 and 10.

 

[HenryMuto]

Started in 2020 with the bubble because of the short season they wanted to give teams shots to get in but now its a full on thing.

 

[HenryMuto]

Started in 2020 with the bubble because of the short season they wanted to give teams shots to get in but now its a full on thing.

In the form it is now started in 2021 the 2020 playoffs had a different version of the play in tournament.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

As per usual.. the NBA is a step ahead of the other major sports (even if not as popular as the NFL).. They were able to turn the the last few games of the season into something at least SOMEWHAT worth watching, and the play-in games have provided pretty good entertainment value. It's also helped curb some of the tanking that's going on.

 

[SemperFiCat]

The NBA playoffs and nothing but a money grab. You got 2/3 of the teams in 6 months of 'playoffs' knowing damn well there's only three maybe four teams capable of winning it. I'll save you all a ton of wasted time.... just tune in to Finals game 7 with 5:00 on the clock. 82 games of mostly meaningless games, followed by .500 teams battling it out in meaningless 'playoff' games. Nope, not this guy.

 

[lakercat]

As per usual.. the NBA is a step ahead of the other major sports (even if not as popular as the NFL).. They were able to turn the the last few games of the season into something at least SOMEWHAT worth watching, and the play-in games have provided pretty good entertainment value. It's also helped curb some of the tanking that's going on.

I like the play-in and Steph is coming back so get ready for some GOAT-level basketball. Steph off of rest in a walking cheat code.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

I like the play-in and Steph is coming back so get ready for some GOAT-level basketball. Steph off of rest in a walking cheat code.

We'll see on Steph. His team was still like .500 without him right?m I haven't looked. Not sure he's going to be truly 100%.

No reason the GOAT shouldn't win every series in 5, 6-games at tops, though.. right?

 

[lakercat]

We'll see on Steph. His team was still like .500 without him right?m I haven't looked. Not sure he's going to be truly 100%.

No reason the GOAT shouldn't win every series in 5, 6-games at tops, though.. right?

Well, Steph rescues Warriors again with clutch shot after clutch shot. No, he didn't shoot well overall, but was 4-7 on FG's (2-4 on threes) and 8-9 at the line, including the game winning free-throws. Without GOAT, Warriors get swept.

 

[breeztheel]

These playoffs thus far are so much Fun to watch. You know who the stars are but there are so many of them now and the defense is so good that if the stars try to do it all themselves and don't get their teammates involved, they usually come out on the loosing end. See the Bucks against the Celtics last night. Can't wait for Miami-Philly, Suns-Mavs tonight.

 

[Festivus Miracle]

These playoffs thus far are so much Fun to watch. You know who the stars are but there are so many of them now and the defense is so good that if the stars try to do it all themselves and don't get their teammates involved, they usually come out on the loosing end. See the Bucks against the Celtics last night. Can't wait for Miami-Philly, Suns-Mavs tonight.

No Middleton makes the Eastern Conference very interesting. I could see any of the four come out of there.

Yeah, enjoying these playoffs.