veji1 wrote:Ice Man wrote:In the past 3 years, the #6, #7, and #8 seeds are a combined 0-18 in their series. In the second round, the winner of the 4/5 matchup is 0-5 against the #1 seed (although the Wiz do have a fighting chance to break that streak against Boston).
Truth is, the playoffs should consist of the #2 and #3 seeds competing to face the #1 seed in the Conference FInal. Six teams overall. Which already is a bit of overkill, because only 3-4 teams are really title contenders, but hey let's open things up a bit. The other 10 teams that are now in the playoffs can go suck eggs. Or play in the NIT, if they wish.
To be honest, the problem is more those 7 games series... The more games you play, the less a small team has a chance to upset a bigger one. Now add to that talent disparity and becomes even worse.
Either way, the NBA is really watered down. AAU ball is a big reason, but marketing from the NBA, to catering to superstars, softness of the game, less team ball, Refs somewhat rigging the game, Sportscenter highlighting superstar players in any sport has really watered down many sports. Eventually with time, fans will turn on a better product. I mean the other day, I caught about 5 minutes of the Jazz/Warriors and they were commenting that refs are to take notice to give Draymond more leniency on techs. For earth's sake, he needs more techs called on him. Now he just spends more time yelling at the refs. We have Kevin Durant saying the league is soft with regards to the Gobert scuffle and he is one of the softest players in the league for going to the Warriors. To me, watching Harden, Westbrook all iso out there is not fun at all. Sure the stats are up, but the game is completely watered down. Superstar teams face off in the Finals being buddy buddy with each other.
Outside of the Spurs and our hustle teams, I have not enjoyed watching the NBA at all the last five/six years, and really have not since the 08 Celts and teams before that played hard-nose, as teams, etc... NBA got what they wanted when they spent all time marketing a primadonna in Lebron and he wants to be friends with the Heatles. It would be good if they went back to rewarding team ball and calling games based on actual basketball. Quit anticipating fouls with Isaiah Thomas, LBJ, Harden, Westbrook, Curry, Durant. The game is boring to watch and just cause games are scored highly, does not mean it is done with skill. Even when Steve Nash won MVP's, he won with such skill, passing, etc.. Harden while putting up high numbers and has skill in his own right, does not even try on defense, scores on flopping, a 3 point shot, lay-up, or passing out. While the assist numbers are there and Harden is a good playmaker, he is not nearly as skilled of a passer as a Steve Nash or of understanding the game. While not the most outgoing, I would highlight more Kawhi's of the game to improve the game in the future. This crap is garbage.
