Thursday, April 20, 2006

What if there were no conferences...

In case you were a fan of the Let's Get Rid of Conferences idea from yesterday, here's what the playoff matchups would be if all the playoffs consisted of what a 16-team bracket. And yes, we are aware that if there were no conferences, schedules would be different. The one thing that surprised us the most: 9 teams from the West got in, 7 from the East. We thought the discrepancy might be a little higher, like, you know, 14 from the West and 2 from the East. Guess we were wrong.

And another reason the NBA's current playoff system was designed next to a jungle gym and probably in crayon: the Nuggets and Kings both had 44 wins. Nuggets are a 3 seed, Kings are the 8 seed. The Nuggets are the worst team in the West's playoffs, and they are a 3 seed. Think about that for a second (but only for a second).

Couple of notes: NJ and Memphis tied for the 7 and 8 seeds with 49 wins apiece. We gave Memphis the 8 seed for no reason other than to see them play the Clippers again, to see if any franchise felt the need to tank a playoff game. Should be fun. Also, Indiana, Chicago and Utah all had 41 wins to earn the last three playoff spots. Our tiebreaker for those three team was win % against eachother. Indiana (14) was 4-2, Chicago (15) was 3-3 and Utah (16) was 1-3. Not exactly the most fool proof tie breaker, but what do you want from us? You got a better idea, let us know.

OK, enough babble. Here's the matchups, bracket style.

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(1) Pistons
(16) Jazz

AK 47 can think of no better time to take his wife up one her offer, considers using his one free pass. See's Detroit groupies. AK 47 reconsiders.

Who will advance
Detroit Pistons
Utah Jazz
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(8) Grizzles
(9) Clippers

Hey, we can lose playoff games, too! Vin, put the bottle down, you're in!


Who will advance?
Memphis Grizzles
Los Angeles Clippers
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(5) Heat
(12) Nuggets

D-Wade vs. Melo in the playoffs. Wipe the drool of our faces (could these match ups be any more perfect?).


Who will advance?
Miami Heat
Denver Nuggets
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(4) Suns
(13) Wizards

Probably a low-scoring, defensive affair.


Who will advance?
Phoenix Suns
Washington Bullets
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(6) Cavs
(11) Kings

Can Artest lock up LeBron (Good God, these storylines just write themselves).


Who will advance?
Cleveland Cavaliers
Sacramento Kings
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(3) Mavericks
(14) Pacers

Except for this one. Pacers are boring. Although Bill Walton said last night that Jason Terry "can single handedly win any single game he is playing in." Swear to God.


Who will advance?
Dallas Mavericks
Indiana Pacers
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(7) Nets
(10) Lakers

Rematch of the Finals from a few years back. Both teams were good then, though.


Who will advance?
New Jersey Nets
Los Angeles Lakers
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(2) Spurs
(15) Bulls

The next great dynasty knocks off the last great dynasty.


Who will advance?
San Antonio Spurs
Chicago Bulls
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Wow, was that fun. So much fun, in fact, that we'll be back with the Elite Eight just in time for the NBA's second round. Until then, enjoy.

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