Why Have the 2-3-2 Format for the Finals?

[kooldude]

Only 2 teams have won the middle 3 games at home. Miami in 2006 and Detroit in 2004.

really recent thread though. every 2 years (yes Lakers will win middle 3 games) (yes random guessing)

[LBJ]

The problem with this format is if the home team won each game in the series, the team with home court (ie. Boston) would be down 3-2 going into game 6. I think there's something wrong about a home team being down going into game 6 if it held serve.

But then again, only 2 teams HAVE won the middle 3 games. And i agree with the poster who said the play-offs would be a lot more exciting with hte 2-3-2 format from beginning to end. I doubt they'd implement it. The best teams in the league (home court teams) would be totally against it.

[BigHands]

orr this

Jim Feist comments that,

[TDevilsG]

It's stupid and inconsistent. But for a series such as this one, where teams are meeting from opposite coasts, it theoretically makes a lot more sense than the typical 2-2-1-1-1 format. People are talking about "jet lag" but flying across country doesn't take that long to begin with. Also, I'm sure there were teams in previous rounds that had to fly long distances to play against each other that simply had to deal with it.

[Gordon Bombay]

even with the format as it is now, if it goes six games, there will still be a travel from los angeles to boston with only one day off in between game 5 on sunday and game 6 on tuesday...i say just go with the regular 2-2-1-1-1 format

[rewill17]

I like the 2-3-2 format. It gives the finals a unique and different feel and atmosphere.

This is the Superbowl of the NBA, can't be organized like a same old first round series. Home teams don't have a walk in the park anymore, so it can be more even.

[durden_tyler]

Yeah, i feel it's an advantage for the road team since they only need one to win in the first two (road) games then return home for the three straight homecourt advantage games...

Then again, this is the FINALS teams should be able to WIN either on the road or at home.

[Rasheeed!!!]

Who cares, the best teams win regardless of how they set it up

[a-rod]

http://www.nba.com/finals2002/Breaking_Down_the_232_Format-46051-277.html

[Heat3]

Boston to LA is like a 6-7 hr flight. It would suck to have to do that every other day.

[6_Rings]

Stern is a Laker?

[rewill17]

How did Bird and Magic do it back in the 80s?

[JoshB914]

I think 2-3-2 puts the team without home court at a disadvantage. Basically, if you steal home court back in the first two games you have to win three straight at home against a very good team.

[BigHands]

How did Bird and Magic do it back in the 80s?

Changed in the middle.

83-84 was 2-2-1-1-1 Celtics had home court and won the critical game 5 in Boston

84-85 was 2-3-2 Celtics had home court and lost the critical game 5 in LA.

In game 1 Boston destroyed the Lakers in the "Memorial Day Massacre."

Embarrassed, LA came back with fire and took game 2. The Celtics took a game in LA to even it up but game 5 was in LA and the Lakers won.

The Lakers, like most good teams up 3-2, smelled blood and took Boston out on the road in game 6 very much like Boston finished Detroit Friday night.

The only substantial change was that the Celtic's Maxwell had been injured in the 84-85 season, was useless in the playoffs, and was on his way out of Boston.

So there was a significant change in the Boston team because McHale moved from 6th man to starter, but it was still a powerful lineup.

My near-compulsion with the issue is because the minute I heard about the change before the 84-85 season my brain screamed "SCREW JOB" and then the Lakers proceeded to beat Boston in the playoffs for the first time ever with the critical game 5 in LA.

The real issue with the format IMO is that there are now very few 7 games series and thus the home court advantage seldom actually exists.

[Yadadimean]

I guess if they REALLY wanted to cut travel, they could just take a page from the NFL and play all 7 Finals games in a "neutral" city, but what fun would that be?

[rewill17]

I guess if they REALLY wanted to cut travel, they could just take a page from the NFL and play all 7 Finals games in a "neutral" city, but what fun would that be?

in NY.

or better yet DETROIT!! Wouldnt it be hard to play with both teams getting constantly booed!

[Reks]

I like the 2-3-2 format. It gives the finals a unique and different feel and atmosphere.

This is the Superbowl of the NBA, can't be organized like a same old first round series. Home teams don't have a walk in the park anymore, so it can be more even.

Then why try so hard for home court?

[Basileus777]

I don't think the 2-3-2 format hurts home teams. Almost no one ever wins those three home games in a row. Even at home its just so difficult to win 3 games in a row against a conference champion.