NBA Playoffs: In Search of a New Format

Think about the Golden State Warriors, at 32-21, being one game out of the playoffs in the Western Conference.  The Chicago Bulls, at 21-31, are only one game out of the playoff race in the Eastern (Leastern) Conference.  The East is a total JV league if the Bulls, who absolutely stink, are even in playoff contention. The No. 8 seed in the West is 10.5 games ahead of the 8th seed in the East.  A team in the West with 50 wins could miss the playoffs while a team with only 34 wins in the East could make the playoffs. Another Stat: John Hollinger's playoff odds on ESPN.com say the Portland Trail Blazers have about a 3 percent chance of making the playoffs in the Western Conference.  The Cleveland Cavaliers, with a very similar record have a 99 percent chance of making the playoffs because they are in the Eastern Conference. The East is a joke.  The third seed in the East, the Orlando Magic, could miss the playoffs in the West.  That ... (link)