View Full Version : Playoff Structure Right or Wrong?
millst2
03-30-2009, 08:29 PM
Was just pondering on the thought of the way the Playoff Matches are structured. Why is it setup the way it is? Shouldn't it be structured different to make the match-ups more competitive.
As it is now we have the 1st vs 8th, 2nd vs 7th, 3d vs 6th and 4th vs 5th.
Wouldn't it be more competitive if we had the best team not play the bottom of the barrel, etc.
I would think it would make for better playoffs if it was actually structured where the :
1st vs 5th
2nd vs 6th
3d vs 7th
4th vs 8th.
makes little sense to me to have the 1 take on the 8th etc.
Your thoughts??
davcbow
03-30-2009, 08:49 PM
That dont make sence at all dude...:cool:
You would be rewarding failure...
I like it the way it is, all sports use it, and its been that way since as long as I can remember.
millst2
03-30-2009, 10:26 PM
Well I realize thats how it has been and it works. But the point I guess is the way it is now the number 1 seed plays the number 8 ( best and worst), now i am not bitching that it is the way it is, just think in a way that the playoffs would be more competitive if the 1 didn't play the 8th, instead they played the 5th. 2nd would play the 6th instead of the 7th, 3d plays the 6th,
Like i said i am not arguing it is wrong, just got me wondering earlier today,, the 1 seed usually gets a walk in the park in the 1st round due to playing a team that barely snuck in the playoffs.. And if they played a 5th seed it would just be more competitive.
It was just a thought.
Well I realize thats how it has been and it works. But the point I guess is the way it is now the number 1 seed plays the number 8 ( best and worst), now i am not bitching that it is the way it is, just think in a way that the playoffs would be more competitive if the 1 didn't play the 8th, instead they played the 5th. 2nd would play the 6th instead of the 7th, 3d plays the 6th,
Like i said i am not arguing it is wrong, just got me wondering earlier today,, the 1 seed usually gets a walk in the park in the 1st round due to playing a team that barely snuck in the playoffs.. And if they played a 5th seed it would just be more competitive.
It was just a thought.
The 1 seed getting the 8 seed as a walk in the park is their reward for being the best all season long. Would it be more competitive, yes, but there would be taning at the end of the year among teams locked in trying to get "worse" seeds. It just can't work. And it removes any reward for being better than your opponents.
millst2
03-30-2009, 10:30 PM
True, I didn't think about the tanking for seeding. And I know the reward as a 1 seed now is facing an easier 1st round.
The idea of tanking didn't cross my mind, good point. I was thinking about it from more of a better matchup in the 1st round point of view.
bozzy
03-31-2009, 12:43 AM
Also, it would suck to have your better matchups in the first round. That would defeat the purpose of playing good the whole season.
TattoodCats4life
03-31-2009, 08:57 AM
No offense whatsoever...but....FAIL
I like it just the way it is. As others have stated, the #1 seed playing the #8 seed is your reward for a season of hard work.
Also, although #8 seeds don't win playoff series, I remember Boston getting pushed to 7 games last year in the first round by Atlanta. No only is that very competitive, but it is an invaluable experience for Atlanta and as you can see, Atlanta is a better team this year and may actually win a playoff series this year. Part of the whole crawl before you can walk and walk before you can run thing...
I just checked last years series and LA was the only team to sweep a first round series last year. Every other matchup in the first round went 5, 6 or 7 games. What's wrong with that?
SWedd523
03-31-2009, 10:43 PM
I actually saw an article on ESPN where they were considering the DLeague system where the top teams could PICK who they wanted to play.
For example, since Cleveland is number 1 in the East, they get first pick of any other team in the East to play. Boston gets second pick, and so on.
That would be interesting for one, and it would create a LOT more drama for the worse teams because they were hand picked by the upper team.
That would be a fun idea to see in reality
I actually saw an article on ESPN where they were considering the DLeague system where the top teams could PICK who they wanted to play.
For example, since Cleveland is number 1 in the East, they get first pick of any other team in the East to play. Boston gets second pick, and so on.
That would be interesting for one, and it would create a LOT more drama for the worse teams because they were hand picked by the upper team.
That would be a fun idea to see in reality
I like that, but it would take some convincing for the teams perennially in the playoofs but not on top.
But I would be all for it.
bozzy
03-31-2009, 11:29 PM
I actually saw an article on ESPN where they were considering the DLeague system where the top teams could PICK who they wanted to play.
No one is considering it but that writer. The D-League is only doing it to promote some interest. The NBA would never use a gimmick like that.
SWedd523
03-31-2009, 11:32 PM
No one is considering it but that writer. The D-League is only doing it to promote some interest. The NBA would never use a gimmick like that.
Yet Stern told ESPN.com on Friday -- without making any promises or pinpointing any sort of timetable, since there isn't one yet -- that the league's competition committee would eventually decide whether to formally consider such a system in the NBA … after the way it functions in the D-League can be studied.
Sure sounds like the Head Honcho is considering it...
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?page=dime-090328-29
davcbow
03-31-2009, 11:54 PM
I have a saying that I live by, no need to fix it if it isnt broke....:cool:
bozzy
04-01-2009, 12:43 PM
Sure sounds like the Head Honcho is considering it...
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?page=dime-090328-29
Yes, I know what they are saying, but again, it will never happen.
BigMike
04-01-2009, 02:39 PM
Part of the drama of the 8 team spread, is that the 2 - 7 teams usually are not that far apart in skill and some teams just match up better against each other. We all know of some teams that just seam to have another teams number,
*COUGH* Lakers/Cats *COUGH*
BETCATS
04-01-2009, 03:49 PM
i disprove of this new set up.
The old way lets upsets happen and rewards the best teams by giving them the bottom teams.
This new bracket would make for a stronger first round, and could lead to weaker conference finals.
I dont like it.
bozzy
04-01-2009, 04:00 PM
i disprove of this new set up.
The old way lets upsets happen and rewards the best teams by giving them the bottom teams.
This new bracket would make for a stronger first round, and could lead to weaker conference finals.
I dont like it.
They will never let teams choose who to play. The reason is after to top 4 teams realize that teams 5-8 have nothing to play for and get to rest their players, the NBA would fix it in a heart beat. If you have already qualified for the playoffs but who you play is going to be determined by another team, then why would you even worry about wearing out your players? This would result in a terrible end to the season for the NBA.
SWedd523
04-01-2009, 10:25 PM
They will never let teams choose who to play. The reason is after to top 4 teams realize that teams 5-8 have nothing to play for and get to rest their players, the NBA would fix it in a heart beat. If you have already qualified for the playoffs but who you play is going to be determined by another team, then why would you even worry about wearing out your players? This would result in a terrible end to the season for the NBA.
Because wouldn't you imagine that they'd pick the lowest (worst) teams first? Cleveland won't pick the number 5 team unless they match up extremely well against them. Those teams 5-8 would still be fighting to be in the upper part because that would show that they are "better".
I'm not advocating it either way, I'm just saying that there ARE other options out there that could bring a lot of attention to the NBA (which they, of course, want)
BIGCatBobcat
04-02-2009, 01:26 PM
Man, it's set up so you get the best teams in the finals, unless someone gets hot then they are the cinderella story of those playoffs. 2 things people love to see, greatness and the underdog prevail, and that's all tournament systems are set up to do. NCAA, WGC Matchplay, NBA and NFL playoffs. The part I don't like are the division winners take the higher spot than the simply better record. True that like 9/10 both will fall in line together but like in the NFL you can have an 8-8 team from a crap division in the playoffs when there are some 10-6 teams that won't make it because that other team won their division. I think it's the same in the NBA seeding for the playoffs but i'm not 100% sure
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