The State of the NBA and Potential Playoff Changes

By now it's not exactly a major news flash that the Eastern Conference isn't anywhere near as deep as the Western Conference.

The Nets and Miami Heat, who would both be in the playoffs if they started today with records way below .500, wouldn't be the worst teams in NBA history to make the postseason. Chicago, San Antonio and Boston have all had teams that, when combining regular-season and postseason records, have had teams make the playoffs with winning percentages of .419 or less twice.

And the Bulls, Spurs and Celtics franchises are basketball royalty.But even they have experienced bad times.

Image Credit: superstartickets.com

One of the ideas that has been talked about -- and will likely one day happen, somehow -- is for the best 16 teams to make the playoffs, regardless of conference.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver joined the Golden State Warriors' broadcast Wednesday night when the Warriors beat the Dallas Mavericks. During the broadcast, Silver talked about the idea that so many fans and maybe players in the Western Conference have been dying to hear. The commissioner of the NBA is thinking about redesigning the NBA playoffs format to have the best teams in the postseason than just the top 8 from each conference.

Conference imbalance between the West and the East has been going on for over a decade now and it's left a good team or two in the West out of the playoffs while lesser teams in the East manage to get in.

So here's a look at what that playoff bracket would look like, if this season ended Sunday:

1. Golden State vs. 16. New Orleans.

2. Atlanta vs. 15. Phoenix.

3. Memphis vs. 14. Oklahoma City.

4. Houston vs. 13. Milwaukee.

5. Toronto vs. 12. Washington.

6. L.A. Clippers vs. 11. Cleveland.

7. Dallas vs. 10. San Antonio.

8. Portland vs. 9. Chicago.

Seriously, who wouldn't take that right now (except Miami and Brooklyn, who would fall off the postseason bracket in this system)?

Anthony Davis vs. the Splash Brothers in a first-round series. Chris Paul matching wits with LeBron James to open the playoffs (and everyone who follows college basketball's postseason knows an 11 seed has to beat a 6 seed every year). Bulls vs. Blazers, a rematch of NBA Finals past in an opening-round matchup.

New York Knicks: On their way to the worst season in franchise history, the Knicks will continue their attempt to win a game without Carmelo Anthony. New York is 0-15 without Anthony this season, and visits the Celtics on Wednesday, visits the Pistons on Friday and plays host to the Raptors on Saturday.

Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers: It's not too early for an NBA Finals preview. Golden State travels to Cleveland on Thursday night, a nationally televised game that will surely get tons of attention. Golden State won the season's first meeting last month by 18, though that was with LeBron James sitting out.

Oklahoma City Thunder: Oklahoma City has climbed back onto the Western Conference playoff bracket after its disastrous start, and now tries to stay there with Kevin Durant set to miss at least a week because of pain in his surgically repaired foot. The Thunder play four games this week, including a trip to Phoenix -- also jostling for that No. 8 spot out West -- on Thursday.

Atlanta Hawks: Atlanta sharpshooter Kyle Korver's chase of history continues. Only one player in NBA history has finished a full season shooting 50 percent from the field, 50 percent from 3-point range and 90 percent from the foul line, and that was Steve Kerr for the Bulls in 1995-96. Korver is currently at 50 percent from the field, 51 percent from 3-point range and 90 percent from the line.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Kevin Garnett puts a Minnesota uniform on again Wednesday, when the Timberwolves play host to Washington. Wind chills in Minneapolis on Wednesday night are expected to be below zero, and be assured that no one lucky enough to have tickets to this one will be deterred.

Christine O'Connor

@christineeeeO

2014-2015 NBA Preview, LeBron, Championship, Lakers, and more

by Regis Welch @regisjwelch

Down The Line Sports

Image Credit: NBA.com

Well the NBA season returns this week, and I must say that I am extremely excited. I’m excited because this has been an extremely long offseason that has only had a few storylines that have been covered for far too long by the media. C’mon you know what I’m talking about.

* Where’s LeBron going? 

* Can D. Rose come back healthy?

* Is Phil Jackson going to return as the head coach of the Knicks? 

* Are the 6ers going to win five games in the 14-15 season? 

For the most part we already knew how those questions were going to pan out. Am I surprised that LeBron went back to Cleveland? Not really. He has a much better chance to win an NBA title and he can bring glory to his home city. Cleveland has not celebrated a championship since 1964. Jim Brown led the then Cleveland Browns to the NFL Championship.     

Let’s examine the teams:

Cleveland Cavaliers

As previously mentioned, LeBron James did return home. He is team up with Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving. I believe Love is the best big man in the NBA because he can rebound and he can score from anywhere on the court. However, Chris Bosh was also a deadly big man as well who took a minor role to play alongside LeBron. I don’t see Love putting up the same numbers that he did when in Minnesota just because he doesn’t have to. I can hope that he is still effective on both sides of the court.  Kyrie Irving is arguably the best point guard in the league. He can score and stretch the court.  The Cavs also have a great bench who is made up of good scorers.

However, on the bad side the Cavs do a have a rookie coach, David Blatt. He is a respected coach. Blatt comes with a great resume. He’s a four time Israeli League Coach of the Year, six time Israeli Cup Champion, Italian Cup Champion, and Euroleague Champion. It will be interesting to see him bring an international flair to the NBA and see how he reacts to the nuances a new league.

Miami Heat

For all of the friendly folks who pretended to be Miami Heat fans, please know that your presence will not be missed. It was just a few years ago where the Heat were in this same position. The leader of the team was Dwayne Wade and he had a mediocre supporting cast. Now players who actually have talent will surround Wade. Chris Bosh can be a beast within the paint again. He does not have to be on the perimeter to stretch the defense. I believe that Luol Deng is one of the most disrespected players in the league. He can score, play defense on log major minutes. 

The million-dollar question with this team is their health. Wade must play in at least 70 games. If Danny Granger can return healthy they may have a chance at a playoff spot.

With all that being said the next time that the Miami Heat win a championship will be when LeBron James has a full head hair. It’s not gonna be anytime soon.

Chicago Bulls

Derrick Rose appears to be back and playing like Derrick Rose. He’s making cuts and driving hard to the basket. My only concern about this team is the health of the former league MVP. Rose has had an ACL tear in the past and a torn meniscus.  To play this sport you must have a good foundation and hopefully he has that.

The Bulls brought in a Pau Gasol during the free agency period. It will be hard for teams to matchup on the Bulls double-headed monster in the post. Gasol will play side by side with Joakim Noah. Noah carried the Bulls all of last season in the absence of Rose. 

Chicago reminds me most of San Antonio. Meaning that this group of people plays great together.  If and only if Rose is healthy will this team win the NBA title.

Indiana Pacers

Paul George broke his leg while playing for team USA during the offseason. He will be out the entire 2014-2015 season. George says that he can possibly be back for the playoffs if needed. This team has no chance of making the playoffs in the easiest conference. The Pacers were disgusting in the postseason last spring. Roy Hibbert, proved his worth as he had games where he did not record a basket or a rebound. A 7’2 you can’t get a rebound. I have a great aunt over 80 who can play better. David West is the only person on this team that I trust. He will play hard, too bad his team won’t.

To read more a whole lot more head over to Down The Line Sports (link at the top of this article) 

"Just Hold On, I'm Coming Home," Lebron James returns to Cleveland

After many speculations that James would be returning back to Cleveland, it's official. He's back! 

USAToday.com reports:

"The 29-year-old went to Miami, won two titles and repaired his reputation. He joined friends and fellow All-Stars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in forming a historic trio, but the Big 3 lasted only four years. He is a four-time MVP, two-time Finals MVP and Hall of Fame-bound superstar.

Goodbye Miami, it was great while it lasted. Hello Cleveland, where there is unfinished business.

James' agent, Rich Paul, talked with the Cavaliers, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns, and James and Paul met Wednesday with Heat President Pat Riley in Las Vegas."

Now Miami Heat fans, know EXACTLY what it feels like to be a Yankee fan this year! The 2015 NBA season should be interesting to say the least. 

By:: Dana P. (Blog Owner/Editor in Chief)

Free Agents Living Vicariously Thru King James.

"King" Lebron James, has the world in awe as we all await his decision. This time 4 years ago, people were disgusted with the way he handled "the decision," and how he said not 1,2,3,4,5 or 6 rings. Now, people are upset that he hasn't made a decision in a timely fashion (quite an anomaly), and is making us wait patiently or impatiently (for some of us). He holds the reigns to the NBA free agency as many others await the sign to see where the biggest free agent in years lands, and how the balance in the NBA will shift tremendously based on his decision. Former teammates Chris Bosh (who has a offer from the Houston rockets), and Dwayne Wade, (who left 2 years 42 million on the table), opted out of their contracts to make room for the return of "The King," and potential free agents to make a run at their 5th straight nba finals; but, did they make the right decision? Or will it hinder them from making the money they had on the table? The latest reports are that he will be signing with the Cleveland Caviliers. Only time will tell and only "King James" himself, knows as of now. -Nick Bonacci

Carmelo Anthony:: "Should I Stay Or Should I Go?"

Free agent Carmelo Anthony is HOT on the market right now! He went from saying this past season, that he would take less money to stay with the Knicks, to possibly negotiating a new deal with another team. 

Via ESPN.com:

"Anthony met with Jackson, Fisher and Mills in Los Angeles last Friday to discuss his pending free agency. Anthony has said throughout the season that he plans to opt out of the final year of his contract and test free agency this summer.

Jackson has said publicly, though, that he'd like Anthony to opt in to the final year of his deal with the Knicks and become a free agent next summer.

A source close to Anthony said late last week that Anthony hadn't changed his mind on free agency and still plans to opt out and become a free agent this summer.

Anthony, according to sources, has until June 23 to inform the Knicks if he plans to opt out of his contract.

The All Star forward politely declined to discuss his future on Wednesday night. He said he is spending the majority of his offseason in Los Angeles.

The Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, and Dallas Mavericks are all teams Anthony would consider in free agency, sources told ESPN.com's Marc Stein. Free agency begins July 1. Miami Heat officials have also started to explore their options in trying to create enough financial flexibility to land Anthony in free agency, ESPN.com reported last week.

Anthony can sign a maximum contract for $129 million over five years with the Knicks. If he signs with another team, Anthony can sign a maximum contract of $96 million over four years."

J.R. Smith tweeted just a few days ago, that he would no longer speak to Melo, if he decided to sign with the Miami Heat!

On Wednesday, Anthony spoke to reporters at an event in LA. He spoke about the "great meeting" he had with Knicks president Phil Jackson, GM Steve Mills, and head coach Derek Fisher over the weekend. He also stated he "liked what Phil Jackson was doing," referring to the signing of Fisher, as the Knicks new head coach. 

Melo has until June 23rd, to decide if he's going to stay with the Knicks, or play for another NBA team.  

By:: Dana P. (Blog Owner/Editor in Chief)