How the 2020 playoffs should be played

[trojanfan12]

But they are designed for neutral site and no fans in the stands? These are different times...they can do whatever they need to get it done.

I get what you're saying and I agree in principle.

Having said that though, I just can't see a single elimination working. I'd be surprised if even many fans would want that.

Single elimination works for March Madness because it's a 64 team tournament (68 if you count the play in games), so there really isn't another way to do it.

The NBA is set up to get the 2 best teams to the finals. Even if a surprise team manages to get hot and make a deeper run than expected, chances are they aren't getting past the conference finals.

Depending on how long this goes, I could see them possibly shortening the first couple of rounds to 5 games. But I would be beyond shocked if they went to a single elimination playoff.

 

[tlance]

I get what you're saying and I agree in principle.

Having said that though, I just can't see a single elimination working. I'd be surprised if even many fans would want that.

Single elimination works for March Madness because it's a 64 team tournament (68 if you count the play in games), so there really isn't another way to do it.

The NBA is set up to get the 2 best teams to the finals. Even if a surprise team manages to get hot and make a deeper run than expected, chances are they aren't getting past the conference finals.

Depending on how long this goes, I could see them possibly shortening the first couple of rounds to 5 games. But I would be beyond shocked if they went to a single elimination playoff.

They could literally wrap a single elimination tournament in 8 days.

NBA fans would revolt if the playoffs were that short. Might as well not have them if that is the only solution.

 

[trojanfan12]

Imagine the asterisk that would come along with a single elimination tournament.

There is one way I could see a single elimination tournament working.

If this thing drags on through most of the summer (which I doubt), it could reach a point where, there isn't enough time for a full playoff, but still enough time for some basketball.

Have all 30 teams compete in a single elimination tournament over about a 2 week period. There would be monetary rewards and a trophy, but it wouldn't count as an official NBA Championship.

If they did that, I'd even say don't even separate the conferences. Just rank them 1-30 based on record.

Maybe even have Corona beer sponsor the tournament. lol

 

[bksballer89]

There is one way I could see a single elimination tournament working.

If this thing drags on through most of the summer (which I doubt), it could reach a point where, there isn't enough time for a full playoff, but still enough time for some basketball.

Have all 30 teams compete in a single elimination tournament over about a 2 week period. There would be monetary rewards and a trophy, but it wouldn't count as an official NBA Championship.

If they did that, I'd even say don't even separate the conferences. Just rank them 1-30 based on record.

Maybe even have Corona beer sponsor the tournament. lol

Just cancel the season if it comes to that

 

[trojanfan12]

Just cancel the season if it comes to that

You'd watch and you know it. lol

 

[bksballer89]

Stephen A just said cancellation is not something the NBA is discussing.

Only way I don't see the NBA continuing is if Corona is still around in middle of June which I kinda doubt.

Our first case was on Jan 20th and shit started getting real in mid-late February. Can't see this being around for 4-5 months

 

[dtgold88]

Yeah, can’t see how it would ever get to that point.

Would be better to extend the current season to October than play single elimination. And if they get pushed past that, they aren’t playing.

Imagine the asterisk that would come along with a single elimination tournament.

No asterisk if a team wins on a neutral court in an empty gym as opposed to playing an opponent who had home court?

agree 1 game more extreme, but I think anything will be on the table.

 

[dtgold88]

I get what you're saying and I agree in principle.

Having said that though, I just can't see a single elimination working. I'd be surprised if even many fans would want that.

Single elimination works for March Madness because it's a 64 team tournament (68 if you count the play in games), so there really isn't another way to do it.

The NBA is set up to get the 2 best teams to the finals. Even if a surprise team manages to get hot and make a deeper run than expected, chances are they aren't getting past the conference finals.

Depending on how long this goes, I could see them possibly shortening the first couple of rounds to 5 games. But I would be beyond shocked if they went to a single elimination playoff.

I don't see it either.....but I also would not have seen a team possibly earning home court throughout in front of their fans traveling to Maui to play in an empty gym.

But no doubt single elim. seems extreme (like all these ideas would have seemed a month ago).

 

[msgkings322]

No asterisk if a team wins on a neutral court in an empty gym as opposed to playing an opponent who had home court?

agree 1 game more extreme, but I think anything will be on the table.

This season will obviously have a huge coronavirus shaped asterisk no matter how it plays out

 

[msgkings322]

I don't see it either.....but I also would not have seen a team possibly earning home court throughout in front of their fans traveling to Maui to play in an empty gym.

But no doubt single elim. seems extreme (like all these ideas would have seemed a month ago).

It's choosing the best of bad options. Neutral courts are less bad than single elimination

 

[dtgold88]

This season will obviously have a huge coronavirus shaped asterisk no matter how it plays out

I guess of all the seasons to happen best to be a team who just wants to have the most lottery combos.

 

[dtgold88]

It's choosing the best of bad options. Neutral courts are less bad than single elimination

no doubt about that.

 

[tlance]

No asterisk if a team wins on a neutral court in an empty gym as opposed to playing an opponent who had home court?

agree 1 game more extreme, but I think anything will be on the table.

7 neutral court games the best team will still win most of the time.

1 neutral site game and that doesn’t happen.

 

[msgkings322]

I guess of all the seasons to happen best to be a team who just wants to have the most lottery combos.

Once again the Warriors pick the perfect time for their rebuild year in the middle of a 10 year dynasty

#lightyearsahead

 

[dtgold88]

Once again the Warriors pick the perfect time for their rebuild year in the middle of a 10 year dynasty

#lightyearsahead

chess not checkers?

 

[dtgold88]

7 neutral court games the best team will still win most of the time.

1 neutral site game and that doesn’t happen.

anyone saying otherwise?

 

[tlance]

anyone saying otherwise?

Cmon man.

I replied to a suggestion for single elimination saying that it can’t happen.

Then you jumped in trying to justify it as a possibility.

They either play or they don’t. If they play, it will be a series in some form. Can’t make the NBA playoffs single elimination because it changes the fabric of the sport.

 

[logic]

Cmon man.

I replied to a suggestion for single elimination saying that it can’t happen.

Then you jumped in trying to justify it as a possibility.

They either play or they don’t. If they play, it will be a series in some form. Can’t make the NBA playoffs single elimination because it changes the fabric of the sport.

And stopping play for multiple months doesn't change the fabric of the sport?

 

[bksballer89]

And stopping play for multiple months doesn't change the fabric of the sport?

No. They do it every off season for about 4-5 months. This is no different. Only difference is that the players aren't travel around the world

 

[logic]

No. They do it every off season for about 4-5 months. This is no different. Only difference is that the players aren't travel around the world

They don't usually get that big a test prior to the playoffs though.