So in my Journalism class we were asked to write an editorial of about whatever we wanted. I knew mine was going to be about the NBA. I was talking to friend during class about the NBA and he was talking about how he hasn't watched the playoffs since the 1st round and simply is losing interest, which gave me the idea for the article. I had to keep it within approximately 650 words, so not everything is thoroughly written about, but I hope you enjoy and hope it sparks some debate:<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>With the sixty-first edition of the NBA Finals quickly approaching, and 22 year old phenom LeBron James seeking his first title, the NBA is counting on his star power to improve the TV ratings which have been pathetic the past few seasons. But with no rivalries, physical play virtually non-existent, and a commissioner intent on deciding games rather than the players, the NBA must seek another alternative to fix the increasingly poor playoff ratings. While not an easy task, it is certainly feasible and I propose a fairly simple solution with many possibilities: changing the playoff format. There has been a considerable amount of controversy on the subject of changing the playoff format. Antagonists will say that the NBA is just in a transitional period and there is no need to change the playoff format that has been around for decades. This might be true, but making changes to the playoffs, which are always less dramatic and boring than the likes of the NFL and MLB, can only help the NBA. Right now, the NBA playoffs are 2 months long, which is a month longer than the NFL or MLB playoffs, the other 2 major pro sports leagues in the United States. That is simply too long for fans to follow the whole post season and still keep a genuine interest. Even the most loyal fans rarely watch more than two or three games each series. Thus, ratings have slipped tremendously, especially with the disappearance of major rivalries among different teams. My solution is to institute a tournament similar to the single game elimination format the NCAA uses. The top 28 teams would be grouped into one large conference rather than different divisions and conferences. Based on record, they would be grouped in different regions to guarantee the best teams have a great shot of making the Final 4. The top team of each region would have a bye in the first round. This format would allow for the underdogs to defeat perennial powerhouses, which would add a lot of drama and attractiveness to the tournament. This format would be much shorter than the current playoff format, and games could be played only on weekends and on the same network channel. This would increase viewer ship as the audience will always know when and where to see the games rather than never knowing what time or channel the games are on. It also allows viewers without cable to watch every single game. This format gives the players more rest in-between games to recuperate and be at full force for the upcoming, and also over the summer so they will be healthy coming into the upcoming season. This would be especially beneficial to players committed to Team USA, which plays over the summer. With shorter playoffs, greater climate for the games to be viewed, more drama, and more rest for the players, there are few flaws to this format.This tournament style playoff also benefit the regular season. This format allows a greater amount of teams into the post season, thus making the regular season more competitive with teams constantly jocking for position. This in turn will also discourage teams tanking at the end of the season in hope of achieving a higher draft pick. With these elements considered, it is clear that the change in playoffs allows for a better quality product in the regular season as well. The playoffs, give or take a few minor tweaks, have remained the same for the better part of the last 60 years. NBA fans reminisce over legendary championship teams like Bill Russell?s Celtics, Magic Johnson?s Lakers, and Michael Jordan?s Bulls. But with the sports industry, including pro basketball, constantly evolving, the post season should be no different. The NBA must do something new and exciting to attract a greater audience, and there is nothing that that can use more improvement than the stale and boring playoffs.</div>
I really like this format, would be much more exciting. I have a few questions though.Would the games be held at a neutral court or at the higher seeds' home court?andWould draft picks be based on regular season records or how they performed in the playoffs (excluding the bottom 4 teams)?Good write up also.
the first thing the NBA will tell you is that they dont care about Team USA, they care about their things. Second, a single elimination tournament has its flaws. Its really whack for a basketball team to work 82-84 games a year and bust their asses, and lose because they made one bad play at one bad time. I would just get so mad, because the team probably forked 60 million + dollars in all star caliber players, and to be beaten by a team who has lazy bums and players with bad work ethic, (Pacers and their Bad Boy image) it would just be stunning. Theres a reason Detroit made the last 5 or ECF's, they work hard at what they do, and get rewarded for it, by working their way to the top. Like I mean it could be Detroit vs Orlando first round and Detroit is up by 1, lets say Hill shoots a 65 footer and banks it in, the best team in the East gets knocked off because of a fluke, its just so controversial.
I agree with Raptorfan, and 20-some teams don't deserve to play in the postseason. I'd rather have 16 teams, but the conferences are mixed.
I haven't totally thought that through, but I think holding each region at neutral courts would probably be cooler. Have one region at Staples, one at MSG, one at American Airlines in Dallas, and one in AA in Miami. This way the cities with the greatest amount of tourism and arguably best arenas get the games. On the other hand without the sections fillwed with students from the schools like in the NCAA might make the crowd a bit too quiet. So I'm a bit torn here. Regular season.[quote name='RaptorFan#1' post='373919' date='Jun 5 2007, 06:54 PM']the first thing the NBA will tell you is that they dont care about Team USA, they care about their things.[/quote]They should care about Team USA as that can wear out their players for the regular season (as seen with a few of the members this year). Yes it does, but it is also considerably more exciting than the NBA playoffs as it is not dragged out and every game is elimination. That's one of the things I didn't touch one...the regular season. It would have to be shortened a bit as you're right...82 games then only 5 post season games doesn't make a ton of sense. But again, the tournament is much more exciting and the audience eats it up. It is, which is why it is so exciting. But if you truly are such a great team, and you have a more the 4-5 days to prepare for a worse team, you should win the game.
that's a great idea, a tourney format that would have made the 76ers beat the Lakers in 2001 despite being far inferior teams.This format makes less money and sense.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Kobebryant_24OWNEDME @ Jun 5 2007, 08:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>that's a great idea, a tourney format that would have made the 76ers beat the Lakers in 2001 despite being far inferior teams.This format makes less money and sense.</div>If you are truly a better team, and have all of those days to prepare, you should be ready to beat those inferior teams in a single elimination game. But it adds to the drama and makes people tune in.This format would bring in a bigger audience, more people would be watching due to the reasons I stated in the editorial, and it would just be a lot more exciting than what we get in the current format. Outside of the Warriors-Mavs series and Rockets-Jazz series, the playoffs have been pretty boring for the most part. Especially considering there has been only 1 game 7 so far. In the toruney format, every game is a game 7.Is the tourney idea perfect and always let the better team win? No!!!! But what we are getting right now, especially with no rivalries and such, is a bore and from most GP I have talked to they feel the same. The NCAA tournament is the best sporting event of the year, and there is no reason the NBA can't adapt to that style format.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>If you are truly a better team, and have all of those days to prepare, you should be ready to beat those inferior teams in a single elimination game.</div>That's far more true in a 7 game format than one though. In one, even the sun can shine on a dog's ass. I prefer a 5 game setting then a 7 game in the first round. Should revert back to that.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Rok @ Jun 5 2007, 10:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>That's far more true in a 7 game format than one though. In one, even the sun can shine on a dog's ass. I prefer a 5 game setting then a 7 game in the first round. Should revert back to that.</div>If some kind of torunament like the NCAA's can't be instituted, I agree that would be a nice thing to change. I think everyone will agree that 2 months of post season just is way too much.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>I think everyone will agree that 2 months of post season just is way too much.</div>Agree, plus as it peaks at the start of summer is a big disadvantage as well. People are going out, not staying to watch a game.
