Confused about the standings

by OutrageousJ on Jan 17, 2008 11:15 PM PST Comment 6 comments

I had a question about how the NBA standings are done for the playoffs... I thought I knew the answer, but clearly not.

Right now, if you look at the NBA.com standings for the Western conference, Portland is fourth, despite being tied for the 7th best record in the conference.

http://www.nba.com/standings/team_record_comparison/conferenceNew_Std_Cnf.html

I understand that we'd move up because we're a division leader, but why 4th? Shouldn't it either be 3rd, or 7th?

0 recs | Comment 6 comments

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New NBA rules

Was changed before the season.

Division leaders can get no worse than 4th in their conference.

It's to avoid the Dallas versus Spurs in the second round of the playoffs scenario.

ROTUNDITYDOTNET

by damir on Jan 18, 2008 12:03 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

And the division leaders

are seeded by record before seeds 5-8 are assigned. Phoenix, LA and Dallas all have better records than Portland and that makes us 4th. If we fall behind in the division we would drop to 7th or 8th.

by lee3022 on Jan 18, 2008 2:10 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

damirs right

yup

by Philthyanimal on Jan 18, 2008 1:05 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

worst of all

the 5th seed gets home court advantage if their record is better. I like the first half of the rule change, not the 2nd half.

by einman77 on Jan 18, 2008 2:07 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I think it's pretty obvious

that the team with the better record should get home court advantage.

by timg56 on Jan 18, 2008 5:54 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

the Blazers should have home court no matter what, if for no other reason than to have sell outs. I guarantee you that NO won't sell out playoff games and it will be the same predicament they faced in Charlotte: Move or try to build for better amenities? Oh, and the first sentence was sarcasm, I agree with your sentiment that better record should equate to home cookin' come playoff time.

Hate the game, not the player.

by Rodendridge on Jan 18, 2008 8:02 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs