In 2011 Major League Baseball added a wild-card game to accommodate realignment.
MLB is the ultimate “get off my lawn” sport. It’s all about history, unwritten rules and holding on to archaic notions to the detriment to the new and future generation of fans. But when the league decided to expand the playoffs (they’ve since expanded it again), they got that one right.
Now it’s the NBA’s turn.
The NBA and MLB couldn’t be more different. The NBA has embraced changes on so many levels especially since Adam Silver has become commissioner.
The league used a play-in scenario in last season’s bubble. For the large part, it sounded like one of those one off, special situation things but that couldn’t be more wrong. This will be year two of the play-in scenario with a little bit of tinkling.
This season, the 7th seed will play the 8th see with the winner automatically getting the 7th seed. The 8th seed will be the loser of the 7th seed-8th seed game against the winner of the 9th seed-10th seed game.
The change keeps more teams engaged for longer stretches of the regular season and it is seen as an anti-tanking remedy. As I suggested before, the league should reward the highest non-playoff team with the number one pick. In this scenario, that would discourage teams from wanting to be in the play-in tournament.
I would like to amend that by saying the team that wins the 7th seed with the better record (they’ll be two 7th seeds. One in each conference) would have the most ping pong balls in the lottery. If the league isn’t willing to do that, then kill the draft lottery.
In the East, the Washington Wizards are in 10th place, one game ahead of the Chicago Bulls. The Wizards have one of the most explosive backcourts in Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook. In a normal season, Washington would be powering down minutes of Beal and Westbrook while taking a look at the younger guys. Instead, we can see Beal and Westbrook in a one and done against the Indiana Pacers or Charlotte Hornets.
If that’s not enough, look out West. In a normal season, Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans would be talking about next season. The Pelicans are currently in the 10th spot and would more than likely play their play-in game against the San Antonio Spurs, Memphis Grizzlies or Portland Trailblazers. That’s much more appealing than listening to David Griffin talk about “assets”.
The NBA still needs changes to the Draft Lottery. Either by changing the structure or getting rid of it altogether. In the meantime, the play-in tournament has been a great change by a league not afraid of being innovative.
