I'm giving it a shot but it's tough. The Clippers-Spurs series is the only first round matchup that's really compelling and it's murder to try to watch that on the East Coast.

The 2nd round is going to be very good. We're setting up for Bulls-Cavs in the East (which will be the de facto Eastern Conference Finals) and the Western Conference is wide open.

(04-22-2015 12:59 PM)Hokie4Skins Wrote:  I'm giving it a shot but it's tough. The Clippers-Spurs series is the only first round matchup that's really compelling and it's murder to try to watch that on the East Coast.

The Clippers-Spurs Game 1 was a bore and if the C's win game 2, it could follow the trend.

Stanley Cup Playoffs are way better.

(04-22-2015 12:59 PM)Hokie4Skins Wrote:  I'm giving it a shot but it's tough. The Clippers-Spurs series is the only first round matchup that's really compelling and it's murder to try to watch that on the East Coast.

That series can very well produce the NBA Champion.

The Grizzlies and Hawks go up 2-0.

The Spurs can't win unless they resort to tactics a step above cheating. Larry Bird would be so proud.

Finally one of these series is even, the playoffs have begun.

Ehhh... 7 out of 8 series are at 2-0 and in 6 out of those 7, the higher seed is up. The only mild surprise so far is the Wizards up on the Raptors but 4/5 matchups tend to be toss ups anyway. I'll be interested in the NBA playoffs once there's a big upset or an underdog goes on a run or anything at all unpredictable happens. Unfortunately, unlike the Stanley Cup playoffs, that rarely happens in the NBA. The top seeds tend to waltz into the conference finals and in most years, the teams that make it that far are the preseason favorites (barring injuries like with this year's Thunder team).

The first round is mostly a joke. The playoffs really don't start until the 2nd round IMO.

(04-23-2015 08:58 AM)bitcruncher Wrote:  The first round is mostly a joke. The playoffs really don't start until the 2nd round IMO.

Agreed. The first round should have never expanded from 5 to 7 games.

(04-23-2015 10:04 AM)vandiver49 Wrote:  

(04-23-2015 08:58 AM)bitcruncher Wrote:  The first round is mostly a joke. The playoffs really don't start until the 2nd round IMO.

Agreed. The first round should have never expanded from 5 to 7 games.

Remember when the first round was best-of-3? That was fun. There were several upsets. The TV networks would never allow that today, though, because they don't want the top seeds knocked out in the first round.

I'd almost think a 7-5-3-1 format, or in other words, a format where the number games per round decreases, would be far more exciting.

Every team goes up 3-0 tonight. And this.


NBA Legion (Twitter)
‏@MySportsLegion

Warriors were 0-356 when entering the 4th quarter losing by 20 or more since 1954. Not anymore. 1-356. (h/t ESPN)




Since 1954? Wow.

The best teams actually win and advance in the NBA as opposed to fluky teams that get hot at the right time, which unfortunately we're seeing in too many playoffs in nearly every other sport. Upsets are fun, but I'd rather have a tournament that accurately reflects the *best* team (not the hottest one). The NBA does that better than any other sport.

I like a mix of both. In the NCAA Tournament, the one-and-done nature of it creates a number of great upsets and memorable moments while also skewing the accomplishments of teams that play way under and above their seeding. VCU and George Mason were not one of the four best teams the years they went to the Final Four. Vice versa for 1, 2 and 3 seeds that lose before the Sweet 16. The second round upsets are the best in the NBA.

(04-24-2015 12:15 AM)_C2_ Wrote:  Every team goes up 3-0 tonight. And this.


NBA Legion (Twitter)
‏@MySportsLegion

Warriors were 0-356 when entering the 4th quarter losing by 20 or more since 1954. Not anymore. 1-356. (h/t ESPN)




Since 1954? Wow.

You know that "win probability" stat they calculate at every point in the game, based on how the game is going so far? Here's the Pelicans' win probability chart for that game, as the game went along:

(04-24-2015 12:52 AM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  The best teams actually win and advance in the NBA as opposed to fluky teams that get hot at the right time, which unfortunately we're seeing in too many playoffs in nearly every other sport. Upsets are fun, but I'd rather have a tournament that accurately reflects the *best* team (not the hottest one). The NBA does that better than any other sport.

My issue is the there is no urgency in the 1st round. With 7 games of course there is a high probability that the higher seeded team will win. It's not like hockey where an 8 seed with a goalie in the zone can win the Stanley Cup. Everyone is looking forward to the 2nd Round anyway, there no need to torture fans win games than are dull and on too late to watch.

(04-24-2015 01:58 AM)Wedge Wrote:  

(04-24-2015 12:15 AM)_C2_ Wrote:  Every team goes up 3-0 tonight. And this.


NBA Legion (Twitter)
‏@MySportsLegion

Warriors were 0-356 when entering the 4th quarter losing by 20 or more since 1954. Not anymore. 1-356. (h/t ESPN)




Since 1954? Wow.

You know that "win probability" stat they calculate at every point in the game, based on how the game is going so far? Here's the Pelicans' win probability chart for that game, as the game went along:

They even had a 5-point lead in the final 20 seconds, how do you not foul the best 3-point shooter in NBA history (so far) before he gets a three off?