Prior to the 2020-21 NBA season, the NBA Board of Governors unanimously approved a proposal to implement a new playoff structure this season. In years past, the NBA Playoffs has been made up of 8 teams with the best record from both Eastern and Western Conferences. This approved proposal would be the second major change to the Playoff format, after the change from the 2-3-2 playoff structure implemented in 2013. There could be many possible reasons why the NBA decided to implement this change to their Playoff structure, a few are listed below.
You can read more about the new NBA playoffs structure on NBA.com, or follow this link to a FAQ (frequently asked questions) page about the NBA Play-in Tournament on their website.
1. RECENT SUCCESS OF EXTENDING PLAYOFF FORMATS
One reason that the NBA could have decided to make this change is the popularity of sports leagues that have recently extended their playoff structures.
NCAA BASKETBALL
The NCAA Basketball Tournament, March Madness, is undoubtedly one of the most popular sports events of the year. One of the many reasons the 64-team tournament is so exciting is due it its size and unpredictability. Fans enjoy watching a tournament with more teams, it adds volatility. In 2011, the NCAA introduced the “First Four,” two play-in games that allow teams to play for the chance to play in the tournament. In most years, these teams are 16 or 11 seeds. The NCAA has seen success in this decision, as it has gained more viewership, and allowed teams that may not have originally been selected, to prove themselves. This past year, a First Four team was fortunate enough to reach the Final Four, and almost beat undefeated Gonzaga before their eventual NCAA Championship defeat.
NCAA FOOTBALL
In 2014, NCAA Division I Football changed their playoff format, as well. In years past, the teams would play out the season, and the number one and number two overall ranked teams at the end of the season play each other for the national championship. There is not a structured bracket for the top teams from each conference to play against each other as there is in the NFL, because there are significantly more conferences in the NCAA. In 2014, though, the NCAA announced the College Football Playoff, in which the top four teams play in a tournament to determine the winner of the national championship. This has proven to be a success, as the College Football Playoff games remain one of the most popular sporting events of the year.
2. POPULARITY OF NBA BUBBLE
The NBA had to completely reinvent their Playoff structure in 2020, with the NBA Playoff bubble, that enforced that players live in hotel rooms on the same campus that the games are played, thus, not to contract COVID-19. While it did not see an increase in ratings, the 2019-20 NBA Playoffs were still perceived as a success. It allowed the teams and players to safely finish the season while many sports were not playing. Last season’s NBA Bubble format showed that both players and fans enjoy change. With no crowds and no family nearby, it created a mentally challenging 4 months for players and teams. I believe that implementing more change will continue to be a success for the NBA.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THE FUTURE OF PLAYOFFS IN SPORTS
I believe that sports leagues will continue to alter their regular season and postseason formats as time goes on. In many sports leagues, like the NBA and MLB, there are so many regular season games that it is almost impossible for each athlete to be putting in their full effort each and every night. Fans of these leagues know that while the regular season is important, the postseason is when players put forth the most effort, because they have the most to lose. By seeing many sports leagues lengthening their playoff formats, we, as fans, are receiving more competitive games and events. As a fan of sports, I hope to see this trend continue.
As they always say,
there’s nothing like playoff basketball.
