Mark Cuban wants to expand NBA Playoffs
By Mike Dyce
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban suggested expanding the NBA playoffs to 10 teams per conference.
There are a lot of people who think the NBA needs to reformat their playoff system, particularly that teams with .500 or worse records get in to the post season in a poor conference while better teams in a better conference are left at home. The general solution here is to have the 16 best teams in the postseason regardless of conference affiliation.
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is also in favor of reformatting the playoff and has his own “food for thought” crazy idea that seems a little bizarre and out there.
“With all the concern about getting a high draft pick taking precedent over winning games, the disparity in talent between conferences and the general challenge of team building, I asked the question,” Cuban wrote on CyberDust. “Why do just 8 teams per conference make the playoffs? Why not 10?
“The increased number would reduce the chances of good teams missing the playoffs in the stronger conference.
“It would keep things interesting for fans longer into the season.
“Teams that suffered difficult injuries would increase their chances of recovering.”
If you’re wondering how that would work the top two teams would get a bye, similar to the NFL and the bottom seeds essentially play in a play-in series.
While the notion of expanding the playoff to let in 20 of 30 teams seems a bit ridiculous, already more than half the league gets into the playoffs, you have to admire Cuban’s thought process.
He has a solution that essentially addresses two issues in the NBA simultaneously, tanking and good teams missing the playoffs. It might not be the best or practical solution but at least he is getting the thought process going.
The crazy part is he actually made this proposal to fellow owners, which should get the ball rolling on a solution.