We’ve heard many ideas as to how the NBA should approach the structure of the season if or when it comes back. Some want a month-long training camp before anything else, others suggest to play a couple of games before the playoffs, seeded teams want to jump straight into the postseason, while other team executives are reportedly ready to cancel the season altogether.
For LA Clippers head coach Doc Rivers, though, one idea stands out above all. While taking part as a guest on former Boston Celtics star and current team broadcaster Cedric Maxwell’s CLNS podcast, he briefly ran through the scheme.
“There’s so many different formats [we could try] … The one I like the best is 7, 8, 9 and 10 [seeds] have a playoff to get into playoffs,” explained Rivers. “And while they’re playing, [the other teams] can train. So, we get to do all the practices, [and] 7, 8, 9, 10 [seeds] get to play.”
It’s intriguing at the very least, and it may generate a new kind of excitement. It could deliver the same vibe that the modified 2020 All-Star Game did – and we know how everyone loved it.
Doc also believes it can create an interesting advantage for both sides:
“Now, the advantage they have is in the first round. You’ve got to play teams that have been playing games where you haven’t played, but they haven’t had as much practice.”
The format is especially interesting for the West as it a pretty tight race at the bottom, and fits right into the four-team play-in tournament. While the Memphis Grizzlies (32-33) currently own the eighth and final seed, four other teams are still in the running – the Portland Trail Blazers (29-37), New Orleans Pelicans (28-36), Sacramento Kings (28-36), and San Antonio Spurs (27-36).
The four squads either have playoff experience or momentum – the Blazers under Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum have the most experienced backcourt, the Spurs have head coach Gregg Popovich’s guidance, and the Kings (7-3 in their last 10) and Pelicans (20-13 in their last 33) were riding a good stretch prior to the league’s hiatus.
Now before we get all hyped up, there’s one problem that may get this proposal rejected quick: the same intrigue isn’t present on the Eastern Conference.
The division’s postseason seeding seem to be set already as bottoming teams’ records have practiced ‘social distancing.’ Current no. 7 Brooklyn Nets (30-34) and no. 8 Orlando Magic (30-35) are both six games ahead with the ninth-seed Washington Wizards (24-40), while no. 10 Charlotte Hornets (23-42) is seven games behind.
We’ll see if this idea somehow reaches the NBA brass, but for now, let’s just hope the league is able to assure everyone’s safety and have everyone be on board for a certain format.
