Caught In Thought: NBA Needs To Change The Playoff Picture

I write this article with a dwindling confidence in the NBA's Eastern Conference.

Why?

The conference as a whole boasts a mediocre record of 272-308.

They have three of the best records in the NBA in Cleveland (30-11), Boston (27-11), and Atlanta (26-13). Yet they also have three teams that are below .500 and in the playoff picture.

In the West, A sub-.500 record earns you the 12th seed. Four spots out of the playoffs.

The conference as a whole is respectable, with an overall record of 311-275, 36 games above .500.

While the East has a 12-win difference between the first and eighth seeds, the West has 10 teams within four wins of each other and four playoff teams with the ability to go from the sixth seed to the third seed with a win and a loss in respective games.

Do I dare say that it's not fair? No, because this is sports and what happens, happens.

Do I believe that something needs to give? Yes.

What should they do?

Suggestion Number One: Seed Based On Record

A 16 team playoff system where best record determines seeding. Once the Final 16 teams are chosen, the league will do its job and divide the two brackets evenly to ensure no one bracket gets both of the top seeded teams or both of the two lowest seeded teams.

Pros : Above .500 West Coast teams will get a chance to play in the playoffs instead of sub .500 east coast teams

Cons: Some of the East Coast sub .500 teams include superstars that fans want to see play.

Suggestion Number Two: Let Lottery Seed Teams , With Odds

Start with the 16 team playoff and hold a lottery. Teams are randomly chosen. Teams with higher winning percentages have a considerably better chance of landing a top seed in their bracket.

Pros : Adds a different/new dynamic to the playoffs and also mimics what the World Cup does as to the random drawing.

Cons: May eliminate some of the importance of the regular season.

Suggestion Number Three: Lottery Without Odds

Same framework as suggestion number two, but instead of using odds, it's just a completely random drawing. No favorites, Just straight up luck.

Pros : Another dynamic to the playoffs.

Cons: Top seeded teams may get a lower seed. Good teams could end up playing each other in the first and second rounds.

Suggestion Number Four: Mix First Three Suggestions

A Hybrid of all suggestions. Top eight playoff seeds are chosen by who has the best record. Most wins equals a higher seeding. The lower eight seeds are ordered by best record and given odds for their specified record. Better record means higher odds.

But no bottom eight seed can have home court advantage. Therefore, the bottom eight seeds are limited to the bottom eight seeds. Then the teams are chosen randomly out of a hat. All teams are then ordered from one to eight. And the playoffs will begin.

Pros: The regular season still matters and fans can see their favorite players play

Cons: The bottom eight teams fate is chosen in the lottery and could end up being unfavorable.

Overall I believe there is disparity between the two conferences.

Something needs to give.