RealGM

Simple question. We have a slight division lead over Miami. Does it matter to you? I think years ago it mattered but currently division titles don’t really matter. Thoughts?

I don't think it matters, divisions seem irrelevant except for the fact that we play division rivals more frequently than we do other teams. I actually don't know if that's a fact though. Do we actually play division rivals more frequently?

Normally I'd say winning the division is meaningless, but in the event of a 3-way tie for say... the 4th seed, division winner is a tiebreaker over two non-division winners which is what New York, Philadelphia and Indiana all project to be.

eyriq wrote:I don't think it matters, divisions seem irrelevant except for the fact that we play division rivals more frequently than we do other teams. I actually don't know if that's a fact though. Do we actually play division rivals more frequently?

Yes.

You play the teams in your own division 4 times. 2 at home, 2 on the road.

The other teams in your conference, you play a handful (not all) of those teams just 3 times.

You play the teams in the other conference just 2 times.

Do we get to hang the banner?

Knightro wrote:

eyriq wrote:I don't think it matters, divisions seem irrelevant except for the fact that we play division rivals more frequently than we do other teams. I actually don't know if that's a fact though. Do we actually play division rivals more frequently?

Yes.

You play the teams in your own division 4 times. 2 at home, 2 on the road.

The other teams in your conference, you play a handful (not all) of those teams just 3 times.

You play the teams in the other conference just 2 times.

There it is!

well you gotta start somewere

Knightro wrote:

eyriq wrote:I don't think it matters, divisions seem irrelevant except for the fact that we play division rivals more frequently than we do other teams. I actually don't know if that's a fact though. Do we actually play division rivals more frequently?

Yes.

You play the teams in your own division 4 times. 2 at home, 2 on the road.

The other teams in your conference, you play a handful (not all) of those teams just 3 times.

You play the teams in the other conference just 2 times.

I agree, caring more about winning conference is just perverted.

Nope. It has lost all its relevance. They should have geared the in-season tournament around the divisions. That was a missed opportunity to reenergise them.

jezzerinho wrote:Nope. It has lost all its relevance. They should have geared the in-season tournament around the divisions. That was a missed opportunity to reenergise them.

NBA Cup needs to involve G League teams.

Knightro wrote:Normally I'd say winning the division is meaningless, but in the event of a 3-way tie for say... the 4th seed, division winner is a tiebreaker over two non-division winners which is what New York, Philadelphia and Indiana all project to be.

Im not sure I follow.

Say ORL NYK PHI all have 50-32 records.

However, NYK beat ORL 2-1, ORL beats PHI 2-1 and PHI beats NYK 2-1 BUT since only ORL is the Div winner, ORL gets to be in the 4th place? Is that what you mean?

Division winners always get home court advantage don’t they? Or am I thinking NFL? Regardless we need to have season series wins on NYK, Indiana, and ties with Philly if we can get em. Last division title was back in ‘19 I think, the year before Covid. It’d be a nice feather in the cap for a young team, our best since 2011.

Wait. There are still divisions?

Do divisions have meaning still? I’m happy if we are seeded over Heat

It matters this year in that it would mean Orlando has a higher playoff seed than Miami.

It would be another hat to hang on the head of a young team so it would be nice but not necessary. Just to be able to say “division leaders in Paolo’s 2nd year - conference leaders in his 3rd?” would be good for building hype around the team.

2.5 games ahead of Miami at the moment…

Does the 4 games we play have any intrinsic value towards a rivalry since it can make up an 8 game spread?

Max Power wrote:Division winners always get home court advantage don’t they? Or am I thinking NFL? Regardless we need to have season series wins on NYK, Indiana, and ties with Philly if we can get em. Last division title was back in ‘19 I think, the year before Covid. It’d be a nice feather in the cap for a young team, our best since 2011.

I believe they got rid of that in 2016. Division winners are no longer guaranteed a top 4 seed.

That was basically the only reason I would honestly care. I think there's some value remaining in terms of tiebreaker scenarios, but outside that and being used to determine who you play 4 times instead of 2-3, divisions seem to serve little purpose.

i do like the idea of them maybe using divisions for the NBA Cup. that would be a good way to re-energize their relevance and importance, though I imagine that would also be met with complaints by teams that are in unusually tough divisions one year, etc. if the NBA wants to make divisions relevant again that'd be the way, otherwise I doubt many fans care about winning the division.

Of course i care. If we do.... It's a freaking achievement and shows the growth we are having! Now if we don't i won't be disappointed either.