The NBA still has high hopes of having the 2019-20 season continue, but from reports the league may just jump directly into the playoffs with a different style format.
It seems that an idea of a 16-team playoff is gaining some traction. Skipping the remaining games in the season and starting the playoffs is actually not a bad idea.
Earlier today, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said on Get Up! that there is a “good chance” the league will do a 16-team playoff. You can hear him state that at the 1:16 minute mark.
“I really think there’s a good chance this is only going to be a 16-team playoff. If that is the case, it opens up the possibility for something that Adam Silver has long wanted, which is to seed 1 through 16 in the postseason and go that route. There’s no excuse with travel or anything like that.”
Before anything can happen (as usual) owners would have to take a vote on the plan. I really don’t see how this doesn’t get a passing vote. The league and fans urgently need basketball to come back. It would be really hard to see owners kicking the idea to the curb. With no extra gate receipts as well as every game housed in one location without fans plus no issues with traveling… I’d say give it the green light!
Let’s break down the possible brackets shall we? If the teams were reseeded from 1-16, there would not be any issues to disrespecting any conference in the league as the NBA’s 16 best records would be split evenly between the East and the West.
It will, however, alter the drama of each matchup. Here’s a visual of how it would look via Legion Hoops:
Rumors around the NBA are that they’re considering everything for a potential resumption of the season, even re-seeding the playoffs, regardless of conference. pic.twitter.com/P0QJjx1IcE
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) May 25, 2020
For our LA fans, the Lakers have the best record in the West and will sit at the #2 seed. The Clips are ranked at #4 right below the Toronto Raptors. Now if anyone else didn’t notice, there’s a real possibility for a Lakers vs. Clippers NBA Finals. How epic would that be? The Los Angeles Showdown, I can see the posters and commercials already.
Plans for the NBA to resume have shifted focus on the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, FL since the accommodations seem to fit the needs of what the league is looking for. The NBA would have better control over travel and accessibility, and the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex contains three arenas (HP Field House, Visa Center, and The Arena) that could really work for games.
