The disparity between the Eastern and Western conferences has been going on for quite some time but this year it’s especially noticeable. It’s garnered so much attention that first year commissioner Adam Silver is rethinking the playoff structure.
As it stands now the top 8 teams from each conference makes it to the playoffs keeping the two conferences separate until the final game.
Some observers have suggested that the top 16 teams, regardless of conference affiliation, should make the playoffs. Others have argued that the top eight teams from each conference should make the postseason, with those 16 teams then subject to a reseeding regardless of conference affiliation.
Silver didn’t commit to making the changes but noted that a change in the times makes the changes possible.
“I don’t know if there will be movement,” Silver said. “My initial thought is we should take a fresh look at it. When these conferences were designed it was in the day of commercial travel. … It was very different when we moved teams around the country. In this day and age, where every team in the league is flying charter, it changes everything.”
The Memphis Grizzlies and the Phoenix Suns currently hold the same 47-32 record sitting in the 8th and 9th spot consecutively. One team will not make it to the playoffs but if they were in the Eastern Conference they would hold the 3rd seed. This clearly illustrates that something needs to be done.
