LeBron James on the play-in tournament:"Whoever came up with that needs to be fired"

Mickey8 · Post #141 » by **Mickey8** » Mon May 3, 2021 12:52 pm

He should have complained when Lakers weren't in the play in zone, now its just sour grapes.

Paija · Post #142 » by **Paija** » Mon May 3, 2021 12:54 pm

When the play-in tournament was planned at the beginning of the season, it was not clear if all teams would be able to play the same amount of games due to Covid. So in essence they took what was considered fine last year in bubble to have some "insurance" at the end of this season. And I as a fan like it, because otherwise there will be much less excitement and much less meaningful games so close to the end of RS. Just look at current standings. In both conferences only top 3-4 teams are "safe" from play-in.

DCasey91 · Post #143 » by **DCasey91** » Mon May 3, 2021 12:59 pm

Paija wrote:When the play-in tournament was planned at the beginning of the season, it was not clear if all teams would be able to play the same amount of games due to Covid. So in essence they took what was considered fine last year in bubble to have some "insurance" at the end of this season. And I as a fan like it, because otherwise there will be much less excitement and much less meaningful games so close to the end of RS. Just look at current standings. In both conferences only top 3-4 teams are "safe" from play-in.

It’s an idea in concept but the balance between East and West is super apparent. A wildcard playin (1 spot would be better). I mean the Lakers are tied 8th for most wins this year. Not getting a playoff birth on that performance so far looks terrible for a competition standpoint. Lakers would be tied 4th in the East.

8-9 go at it three game series easy done or something like that. Or even a cross conference battle. That’s far more better.
When the Wizards are in the exact same situation as the Lakers are in currently it’s super suss.

Paija · Post #144 » by **Paija** » Mon May 3, 2021 1:07 pm

DCasey91 wrote:
Paija wrote:When the play-in tournament was planned at the beginning of the season, it was not clear if all teams would be able to play the same amount of games due to Covid. So in essence they took what was considered fine last year in bubble to have some "insurance" at the end of this season. And I as a fan like it, because otherwise there will be much less excitement and much less meaningful games so close to the end of RS. Just look at current standings. In both conferences only top 3-4 teams are "safe" from play-in.

It’s an idea in concept but the balance between East and West is super apparent. A wildcard playin (1 spot would be better). I mean the Lakers are tied 8th for most wins this year. Not getting a playoff birth on that performance so far looks terrible for a competition standpoint.

My team is involved too. But I think that if they cannot get more wins than Portland, and fall to 7th, then they still have two possibilities to advance - one by beating Memphis (or other 8th team) and then the winner of Warriors-Spurs game. For Lakers it is the same - there is no "single" elimination game for seeds 7-8.

The_Hater · Post #145 » by **The_Hater** » Mon May 3, 2021 1:13 pm

It’s about the fans. The play in tournament is going to be fun. People hate change generally but this is a good change for a number of reasons. The status quo was getting stale.

That said, I can understand players on good teams wanting to avoid it completely. And there’s tons of irony in Bron only commenting on it once the reality of the Lakers falling out of the top 6 came into play. I don’t remember him making many comments about it previously.

celticfan42487 · Post #146 » by **celticfan42487** » Mon May 3, 2021 1:16 pm

They should change it to the 5th and 6th seeds facing the 7th and 8th at the very least.

Way too many teams in the playoffs. It just makes a further mockery of the regular season that the extensive list of playoff teams has already dramatically hurt.

bballfan1three3 · Post #147 » by **bballfan1three3** » Mon May 3, 2021 1:37 pm

DCasey91 wrote:
LesGrossman wrote:First and foremost, the "quote" from leBron is totally embarrassing. Why does he even speak out if he seems unable to articulate a well formed argument? Hes a brilliant player, i'd rather have him stick to playing and leave the management to those who are brilliant at that (he is also not a politician and no expert for law enforcement, and continues to hurt the movement with his dumb comments, as evidenced lately when he called out for violence against a law enforcement officer who saved a young person's life by shooting a knife wielding teenager).

Secondly, its just depressing how people want to stop any change. For years on, everyone is whining (and rightfully so) about the later part of the regular season, when some teams are intentionally tanking, others strategically position themselves for ideal playoff spots and so on. Lets not forget the first goal of the NBA is to provide viewers with entertaining games. Its not primarily about having the best, fairest league and identify the best team; its about entertainment. Repeat after me. Entertainment before competition.

The play in is an interesting idea to say the least. Wether it helps or not, time will tell. To just oppose change even though its obvious that something has to be done, is contraproductive, backwards and in some cases just selfish (as in, "i'm against it if it negatively affects me, otherwise i dont care"). I say give it a chance, lets see how the resulting product (end of regular season) presents itself and only then come up with conclusions. And if you feel inclined to step in front of the mics, please for the love of god form proper logical sentences not consisting in repeating the same two words four times.

Change is good only if it works and is beneficial, changes for changes sake going by a egalitarian philosophy/system has bad returns, worse effects the more you try to even the playing field. Nature is never like that. That’s the reality of things.
It’s a $$$ grab they are not playing for something prestigous, and looking what happens if an 8th or seven seed gets an injury to their best player it’ll cause an uproar that I have no doubt.

It’s rewarding below mediocrity.

Its basketball not a war. Who gives a damn about nature we have the internet and electricity. Theyre the best basketball players in the world, its not a life lesson or a teaching moment. Its sports entertainment. Its a money grab all right and im watching!

Whats so 'prestigious' about the old format where sub 500 teams get in anyway? This ain't the NFL theres always been a bloated playoffs, proven by no 8th seed ever winning anything.16/30 teams getting into a playoff is the DEFINITION of mediocrity, as over 50% of teams were in the playoffs and below average teams by definition make it. Make it Top 8 only if anything. Or Top 12

Sgt Major · Post #148 » by **Sgt Major** » Mon May 3, 2021 1:40 pm

Read on Twitter

lvckv · Post #149 » by **lvckv** » Mon May 3, 2021 1:46 pm

Next thing we'll have is al 30 teams make the playoffs. Then every team who gets knocked out plays each other to decide who is 30th, 29th etc etc. Totally meaningless regular season but lots more TV money for the league and owners! Woop de doo!

maxpower8888 · Post #150 » by **maxpower8888** » Mon May 3, 2021 1:49 pm

I hope that the Lakers slide to 7th and then end up losing the play-in game. Not because I hate LeBron, but because if that happens then Silver will end this whole play-in nonsense.

Post #151 » by **jbk1234** » Mon May 3, 2021 1:53 pm

PrinceAli wrote:
Ckay wrote:Try again.

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/lebron-james-is-no-fan-of-nbas-play-in-tourney-idea-you-got-to-earn-your-spot-to-be-in-playoffs/

Why didn’t he say anything when it actually came into fruition then? What he said 3 years ago is hardly relevant when the rule was implemented in the bubble

It's relevant because people are, falsely, claiming that he's only complaining about it now.

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Danny1616 · Post #152 » by **Danny1616** » Mon May 3, 2021 2:03 pm

Soft.

The play-in makes perfect sense for a crazy year where teams are affected by Covid protocols throughout the year.

Also imagine calling yourself the GOAT, getting an MVP caliber player in AD, picking up guys like Shroeder, Harrell and Gasol for scraps, and then complaining about the fact that your team is struggling to stay in the top 6 :lol:

Metallikid · Post #153 » by **Metallikid** » Mon May 3, 2021 2:06 pm

Danny1616 wrote:Soft.

The play-in makes perfect sense for a crazy year where teams are affected by Covid protocols throughout the year.

Also imagine calling yourself the GOAT, getting an MVP caliber player in AD, picking up guys like Shroeder, Harrell and Gasol for scraps, and then complaining about the fact that your team is struggling to stay in the top 6

That's why Silver is going to make it permanent even though it's actually a terrible idea.

DaPessimist · Post #154 » by **DaPessimist** » Mon May 3, 2021 2:08 pm

If the Lakers get knocked out in the Playoff tourney, I can assure you we never see it again. :lol:

Rapcity_11 · Post #155 » by **Rapcity_11** » Mon May 3, 2021 2:10 pm

lvckv wrote:Next thing we'll have is al 30 teams make the playoffs. Then every team who gets knocked out plays each other to decide who is 30th, 29th etc etc. Totally meaningless regular season but lots more TV money for the league and owners! Woop de doo!

16 teams make the playoffs either way.

This makes the regular season MORE meaningful, since teams actually have to compete to finish in the top 6.

trueballer7 · Post #156 » by **trueballer7** » Mon May 3, 2021 2:12 pm

Play in concept is identical to playoffs concept. What the hell has an 8th seed doing competing for the championship by Lebrons' logic. You can be against the play in tournament for a number of reasons, but not for what Lebron said. Of course Lebron is not the brightest person around, which is why Ibrahimovic told him to shut up and dribble.

Soulyss · Post #157 » by **Soulyss** » Mon May 3, 2021 2:39 pm

Sgt Major wrote:

Read on Twitter

Yeah 7th in the West scared them into remembering how to play defense and they started smoking teams... This is the weirdest season evah.

dhsilv2 · Post #158 » by **dhsilv2** » Mon May 3, 2021 2:43 pm

PrinceAli wrote:
Ckay wrote:Try again.

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/lebron-james-is-no-fan-of-nbas-play-in-tourney-idea-you-got-to-earn-your-spot-to-be-in-playoffs/

Why didn’t he say anything when it actually came into fruition then? What he said 3 years ago is hardly relevant when the rule was implemented in the bubble

Last year the season got cut short abruptly without teams having any way to prepare for it. This year we went in knowing the year would be short. You can't possibly think these are comparable. Just a stupid comparison.

dhsilv2 · Post #159 » by **dhsilv2** » Mon May 3, 2021 2:47 pm

Sgt Major wrote:
darmani wrote:Shots fired!

Read on Twitter

Well said. What the NBA lacks is the sense of unpredictability when a favorite faces a low-seeded team. This play-in thing brings that into the mix and that's awesome.

So you literally hate the best part of the nba playoffs? That the best teams win? What in the hell is wrong with people...

dhsilv2 · Post #160 » by **dhsilv2** » Mon May 3, 2021 2:48 pm

The Warrior wrote:
sikma42 wrote:People are really reaching. Now Lebron is liable not just he says but for what he doesn't comment on. I can't think of any other guy who could come close to standing up to this scrutiny.

Is someone keeping a log of all Lebrons public statements? are we mining the data for hypocrisy?can we utilize Palantir for best results??

The criticism is because your idol has a history of expressing his disapproval when circumstances negatively affect him and his causes otherwise he elects to keep quiet when things are in his favor.

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