It's about that time to remember that I have this blog on foxsports, which allows me to rant and rave whenever something I read about the NBA catches my ire. The catch of the day is this article by Bob Fitzgerald, who if I'm not mistaken is the guy on FSN who covers Warriors games with Jim Barnett. I think most of Bob's musings about the NBA are wrong and crack-induced, but the following article introduces some interesting ideas, particularly regarding a 3-division alignment.
Where Bob starts to go wrong is where he starts to discuss the playoffs. I generally oppose a seeding scheme that doesn't take conference into account, because I think conference rivalries still have meaning and are more interesting to watch. But none of his ideas, however, are worse than his suggestion that the 2-3-2 format should be used for all playoff series.
The fact is, 2-3-2 is a disaster and I hope someday that the league comes to its senses and returns the finals to 2-2-1-1-1, with more time in between games if
necessary. The article's commentators, who do not know anything apparently (I
wish there was a rule: if you don't like the NBA, you aren't allowed to spew your
ignorant garbage on the internet), do not understand that 2-3-2
actually tilts the series to the FAVORITE's advantage. Placing all of
the underdog's games consecutively puts tremendous pressure on the
underdog to win 3 straight games in the playoffs to defend their home
court. In the 23 years of 2-3-2 in the finals, the underdog has swept
the 3 consecutive home games exactly TWICE (03-04, which really
shouldn't count since the Lakers needed a miraculous Kobe shot to
prevent a sweep, and 05-06). Winning 3 straight games in a playoff
series seldom happens, and usually is the result of a disparity in the
quality of the teams. 2-3-2 actually reduces the competitiveness of the
finals and gives the favorite an unfair advantage. Please NBA, kick the stupid 2-3-2 to the curb and return to a finals format that provides at least a semblance of an even playing field!
