Updated throughout the day with quick takes from staff.
The hot rumor coming out of the NBA Owner's Meetings, aside from the fact that owners are doing everything they can to precipitate a lockout in 2011, is discussion about a one-game, single elimination contest between the 8th and 9th best team in each conference to determine the 8-seeds in the playoffs.
On one hand, it sounds like the kind of thing that's perfect for generating excitement where none previously existed. Now, even if the 8th best team has been established well in advance, it's still a mad dash to the finish to see who the 9th-best team will be. Or maybe the two teams will be fighting for home-court advantage til the final game of the year. Plus, anytime you have a single elimination game it draws attention (just ask the NCAA).
On the other hand, let's remember that we're talking about two teams that, most likely, aren't all that good. .500 squads at best. Given some recent Eastern Conference playoff scenerios, they might not even be THAT good. Also, what if the 8th best team is far superior than the 9th best team in terms of record? How is it fair that they be forced to play their way in against a team with 7 or 8 less wins than them?
Ultimately, it sounds gimmicky and doesn't really solve any kind of outstanding issue. So considering this is the NBA we're talking about...it's perfect!
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