Sunday 13 April 2014

The NBA Needs to Change (Its Standings System)

It's an argument that has been made for years, but this year appears to be the straw that breaks the camel's back for the NBA's current layout. None of the four major North American sports leagues have the same problem as the NBA with conference inequality. Why is the NBA's western conference so good, or better, why is it so much better than the East?

As it its right now, the Phoenix Suns would miss the playoffs in the Western conference, despite winning 47 games. If they were in the Eastern conference, they would be tied for 3rd with the Chicago Bulls. On the flip side, in the East, the Atlanta Hawks, despite being 6 games under .500 and guaranteed a losing season, with 43 losses and 3 games left to play, will make the playoffs. If they were in the West, they would be in 11th.

Every year, one or even two teams from the Eastern conference makes the playoffs with an sub-par record (in 2013 it was the Bucks, in 2011 it was the Pacers in 2009 it was the Pistons, in 2008 it was the Hawks and 76ers in 2007 it was the Magic, in 2006 it was the Bucks and it 2004 it was the Knicks and Celtics). It's no coincidence, 7 of the past 10 seasons (not including this year) have had an Eastern conference finish below .500 and make the playoffs.

Seriously, this is a legitimate concern if the NBA wishes to be competitive. Sure the East holds the defending champion Miami Heat, but in the entire NBA standings, they sit tied for 4th with the surging Indiana Pacers. Ahead of them are the incredibly talented San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder and once lowly Los Angeles Clippers. Only the Pacers and Heat would make the playoffs in the West, and the only other Eastern teams that would even still be eligible for a playoff spot in the west would be the Chicago Bulls and Toronto Raptors. That means 4 out of 15 teams would be able to make the playoffs in a crossover scenario. When 73% of one conference can't compete in the other, action may be necessary.

How can we fix this problem?

Easy, just like the way the CFL works, Western teams should be able to cross over into any playoff spots where the team is under .500. This year, there wouldn't be the issue where Phoenix or Memphis, will miss the playoffs despite winning more than 55% of their games, and even Minnesota, who is only a game over .500, but still 3 games ahead of lowly Atlanta.

Another solution would be entering the top 16 teams. The same results would stand, and there would have to be some fair form of division (IE: Jordan and Byrd conferences?) yet, the 16 best teams in the league would still make the playoffs, and geography would have no roll in whether a winning team makes the playoffs or not.

I'm not the first person to give this idea, and I'm not saying the standings have to be completely fair, but it's ludicrous to suggest a team that can't even win half its games, will have the same right to compete for the NBA championship as teams that win games.

The NBA is under new management. Though the past was good, it's time for change!

Leave your thoughts and possible topics for future posts in the comments, and thanks for visiting


Saturday 12 April 2014

Welcome Post/The Basics

So, I'd assume you're reading this that you read hockeyjerseyconcepts.com or are a friend of mine (both usually). This is my sports blog. I usually stick to hockey jersey news and concepts, but this is the place to branch out and hear my opinions on not just hockey, but NFL, NBA, MLB, MLS and other sports, with a Jets96 twist.

For those who are new, I'm Jets96. I'm an 18 year old high school student from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I love sports, and have been a hockey jersey concept artist since 2011. I began writing for HJC in August 2012, and have enjoyed being a part of the concept community.

Favourite Teams (So you can bother me about it in the comments)

NHL: Winnipeg Jets, Toronto Maple Leafs

MLB: Arizona Diamondbacks, Toronto Blue Jays

NBA: Toronto Raptors, Phoenix Suns

NFL: Kansas City Chiefs, Arizona Cardinals

Least Favourite Teams:

NHL: New York Rangers

MLB: Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

NBA: Miami Heart, Sacramento Kings

NFL:  No teams I dislike really

This is an opinion blog! Opinions will be backed up with fact, but they are still opinions. Discussion is the key to any debate and that's what I want from you, the reader. There's no point in commenting anonymously and calling me wrong and to go die in a hole, sorry, that doesn't make you look right, it just shows your views can't hold up under the slightest criticisms.