Exclusive Play-In Format Poll

[PDXFonz]

After a couple of seasons and some good play-in games, what are we thinking?

We would be facing the Thunder this year under the old format, the Suns would have the Spurs.

How do you feel about the play in today? Good for competitive balance in the league? Old system works better?

For what it’s worth, a lot of soccer leagues use a similar system for promotion. Where the top teams automatically qualify, and a number of teams face each other in a playoff format to determine promotion, or relegation.

I for one think it’s great. Wonder how long it will be until we see a play in team win the championship.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

Like it. Like the cup too.

Interested what change they do for tanking next season. That's probably the biggest current problem with the NBA structure.

 

[blazerkor]

It keeps more teams in the playoff race. The games are high drama. What isn't there to like about it.

I could see teams whining about it if the league sprung it on them mid season but everyone knew it was coming when it did.

 

[Mediocre Man]

I don’t like it. I don’t think it’s right that the 7th seed at the end of the regular season might miss the playoffs.

 

[Chris Craig]

They should just expand the playoffs to 10 teams in each conference without the play-in.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I don’t like it. I don’t think it’s right that the 7th seed at the end of the regular season might miss the playoffs.

I can't tell if you are making fun of the Phoenix fan who said the same thing or if you agree with him. (I am guessing you are making fun of him)
If the 7th seed goes 0-2 at home against teams below them in the standings, then playing the 2nd seed is going to make for an ugly 7-game series.

I like the play-in. I am not a fan of the "Cup"

 

[BIG Q]

As for the 7th seed possibly being knocked out all together, the current system doesn't just reward teams for good starts to a season. The Suns are playing awful the last 35 games, but far over achieved at the beginning of this season. Conversely, the Blazers struggled early, but have had a great back half to their season and are playing better and are hotter than the Suns. I am sure the NBA wants the hot teams in, not struggling teams. Gives the tv peeps something to talk about positively rather than the usual drivel associated with a struggling team being blown out and losing in a sweep.

 

[wizenheimer]

when 20 of 30 teams qualify for the post-season it's too much

NFL--> 14 of 32 = 43.75%
MLB --> 12 of 30 = 40%
NHL --> 16 of 32 = 50%
NBA --> 20 of 30 = 67%

NBA = MoneyGrabs-R-Us

 

[Pinwheel1]

when 20 of 30 teams qualify for the post-season it's too much

NFL--> 14 of 32 = 43.75%
MLB --> 12 of 30 = 40%
NHL --> 16 of 32 = 50%
NBA --> 20 of 30 = 67%

NBA = MoneyGrabs-R-Us

It's still the same number of teams as before. It's just that you are making the bottom two teams in each conference earn it by winning one home game.

 

[BigGameDamian]

They should just expand the playoffs to 10 teams in each conference without the play-in.

 

[RR7]

I like it, I think it's something that adds to the overall product without feeling too forced or gimmicky.
I would like there to be a trigger for the play in, based on overall lead in standings. I don't know what the specific threshhold should be, but if the 7th and 8th seeds are like 48-34, and 9th is 40-42, then it shouldn't trigger the tournament.
But overall, I think it has given us some fun games, some exciting games, and adds a little intrigue to the end of the season.

 

[wizenheimer]

as long as what matters is entertaining spectacles generating more and more revenue let's get rid of this pansy-ass play-in

top-4 teams in each conference get HCA and 1st round byes
5-12 in each conference are seeded and play a 3 game mini-series to fill out play off order

that leaves a perfect opportunity for addressing the non-existent tanking problem while also making the lottery a 3 hour affair of sub-lotteries selling lots of adds.

the 8 winners of the 3 game mini-sries have a lottery with flat odds to determine which 4 teams join the 6 worst teams in a 10-team lottery, again with flat odds, to determine 1-6 in the draft. The 4 losers of that lottery are joined by the 4 winners of the mini-series who lost the 1st sub-lottery in a 3rd sub-lottery to determine draft slots 7-14

the remaining 16 teams participate in a flat-odds lottery to determine 15-30 in the draft

and since the NBA is leaning heavily into online gambling this presents a perfect opportunity for the NBA to sanction a massive online casino for fans who can bet on lottery results. Almost endless options. Hire Mike Rice to explain the rules

 

[Pinwheel1]

They should just expand the playoffs to 10 teams in each conference without the play-in.

So two teams from each conference would get a bye? For how long? Seems like "rust" could factor in.

 

[Stevenson]

I've learned to love it.

Very exciiting basketball with real stakes.

 

[BigGameDamian]

What I really miss is the first round best of 5 series. It gave the bottom seed teams more of a chance to bump off a higher seeded team.

 

[Mediocre Man]

I can't tell if you are making fun of the Phoenix fan who said the same thing or if you agree with him. (I am guessing you are making fun of him)
If the 7th seed goes 0-2 at home against teams below them in the standings, then playing the 2nd seed is going to make for an ugly 7-game series.

I like the play-in. I am not a fan of the "Cup"

Serious. They fought hard to get the 7th seed. They should be rewarded with it

 

[blazerkor]

Serious. They fought hard to get the 7th seed. They should be rewarded with it

They are rewarded with two home games to try and secure a playoff game.

Shit it's been like this for 6 years.

If a team doesn't understand at this point that they need a top 6 record in their conference to guarantee a playoff spot then I don't know what to tell them... or you. This is the way it's been and will continue to be and everyone had ample time to prepare for it back in the offseason before the 2020-21 season started six and a half years ago.

 

[BBert]

I for one think it’s great. Wonder how long it will be until we see a play in team win the championship.

2026

 

[riverman]

Thee most meaningless competition in the NBA to me is Summer League where most of the team will never play in a Blazer game.

 

[BassPlaya]

2026

 

[Mediocre Man]

They are rewarded with two home games to try and secure a playoff game.

Shit it's been like this for 6 years.

If a team doesn't understand at this point that they need a top 6 record in their conference to guarantee a playoff spot then I don't know what to tell them... or you. This is the way it's been and will continue to be and everyone had ample time to prepare for it back in the offseason before the 2020-21 season started six and a half years ago.

I get it. I just think it sucks for the teams like Phoenix, who finished 8 games ahead of the Warriors. Just my opinion.

 

[inconceivable]

They are rewarded with two home games to try and secure a playoff game.

Shit it's been like this for 6 years.

If a team doesn't understand at this point that they need a top 6 record in their conference to guarantee a playoff spot then I don't know what to tell them... or you. This is the way it's been and will continue to be and everyone had ample time to prepare for it back in the offseason before the 2020-21 season started six and a half years ago.

Two home games against teams with worse records than you. If you lose twice in that scenario, maybe you will not win against the 2 seed without HCA

 

[kjironman1]

Thee most meaningless competition in the NBA to me is Summer League where most of the team will never play in a Blazer game.

It's pretty fun to go watch live though. Kids out there balling to get a chance, to get a chance, to get another chance.

 

[kjironman1]

I get it. I just think it sucks for the teams like Phoenix, who finished 8 games ahead of the Warriors. Just my opinion.

That is a pretty good point. In this case they came up against a team that had been dealing with quite a few injuries and then in the last week got healthy. Now they have to beat a couple of pretty wily vets to move on in Curry and Green.

 

[Eastoff]

I get it. I just think it sucks for the teams like Phoenix, who finished 8 games ahead of the Warriors. Just my opinion.

Well, now they get a lottery pick.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I get it. I just think it sucks for the teams like Phoenix, who finished 8 games ahead of the Warriors. Just my opinion.

Probably because we are still all so used to the top 8 eight teams always being assured a 7-game series. Maybe now the mindset should be that only the top 6 make the playoffs. After that, you've got a small chance to make it if you get hot/healthy at the end of the season.

I mean, don't most of us think that 16 teams out of 30 is too many anyway?