Silver came out yesterday and said rather strongly that while it's not official it looks like division winners will no longer be guaranteed a playoff spot:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sport...ticle25630748/
Here's the thing, what meaning does a division really have if they remove the only reward for winning it? And yeah, I know someone will point out scheduling and rivalries but that can all exist without divisions. I would not be shocked if you saw them disappear shortly after this comes into affect. No need to hang on to old relics with no point to them.
Adam Silver says the NBA is leaning toward not guaranteeing a playoff spot to a team that wins its division.
Silver said Wednesday no decision has been made, but he believes it’s likely that teams will qualify for the post-season only if they have one of the top eight records in their conference.
Division winners are currently guaranteed no worse than the No. 4 seed, though that’s expected to be changed before next season.
Silver said Wednesday no decision has been made, but he believes it’s likely that teams will qualify for the post-season only if they have one of the top eight records in their conference.
Division winners are currently guaranteed no worse than the No. 4 seed, though that’s expected to be changed before next season.
He says no team has won its division without a top eight record, and league officials estimate there’s less than a 5 per cent chance it could happen.
Here's the thing, what meaning does a division really have if they remove the only reward for winning it? And yeah, I know someone will point out scheduling and rivalries but that can all exist without divisions. I would not be shocked if you saw them disappear shortly after this comes into affect. No need to hang on to old relics with no point to them.
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