I have come up with the answer to even out the playing field in the NBA
and increase competitiveness and entertainment value.
Blow up the league! Yes, that's right folks! When terrible teams
who need lottery picks make the playoffs in the Eastern Conference they
will actually get weaker, while good teams in the superior Western
Conference who don't participate in the post-season will be stockpiling
draft picks and waiting to replace the aging left-coast powers at the
top of the NBA mountain. There's no end in sight! The rich get richer
and the poor get poorer. It's time for drastic measures and I've got
the answers David Stern has got to be looking for!
Taking a nod from the MLB I have reorganized the NBA into two
competitive leagues I have nicknamed the American Basketball League (ABL) and National Basketball League (NBL). Instead of East vs. West it
will be ABL vs. NBL. Here is how the new divisions would be organized:.
ABL EAST: 1.BOS; 2.WAS; 3.TOR; 4.CHA; 5.MIA
ABL CENTRAL: 1.NOH; 2.DEN; 3.IND; 4.MEM; 5.MIN
ABL WEST: 1.PHO; 2.HOU; 3.UTA; 4.POR; 5.LAC
NBL EAST: 1.ORL; 2.PHI; 3.ATL; 4.NJN; 5.NYK
NBL CENTRAL: 1.DET; 2.CLE; 3.CHI; 4.MIL; 5.OKC*
NBL WEST: 1.LAL; 2.SAS; 3.DAL; 4.GSW; 5.SAC
PLAYOFF SEEDINGS - ABL
1.BOS vs. 8.POR; 3.PHO vs. 6.DEN; 4.HOU vs. 5.UTA; 2.NOH vs. 7.WAS
PLAYOFF SEEDINGS - NBL
1.LAL vs. 8.PHI; 3.SAS vs. 6.CLE; 4.DAL vs. 5.ORL; 2.DET vs. 7.GSW
10 Western Teams - 6 Eastern Teams (GSW & POR in, ATL & TOR out)
I know, I know. Right now you're thinking to yourself "gee, how
come this guy is a restaurant manager when he should obviously be a top
league executive?" The irony is I ask myself that same question
every day.
Although it is incredibly unlikely to happen, I think most fans of
the game would have to agree that this would provide more competitive
and entertaining match-ups. And, instead of a fight to the end for
playoff position in one conference, I believe this format would bring
incredible end-of-season excitement to both leagues.
So, until David Stern starts blowing up my cell phone and puts my
little plan into action, you can tell your grandkids you read it here
first. You're welcome.