Here is a potential idea and plan for how to finish the 2019-2020 NBA season and playoffs.
What
Teams - 20 Teams
- 20 teams return to play
- The top 8 teams in the East
- The top 12 teams in the West
Exhibition - 15 Playoff Teams and Memphis
- 4 Games - Top 1-4 teams in East play bottom 5-8 teams in West
- 4 Games - Top 1-4 teams in West play bottom 5-8 teams in East
- Play-In - 15 teams advance to playoffs, Memphis to Play-In
Tournament - 4 West Teams from 9-12
- 3 Games - Teams 9-12 in the West play a round robin
- 1 Game - Top 2 teams from round robin play single final game
- Winner - The winner still only has a chance to make the playoffs
Play-In - Memphis and Tournament Winner
- Best of 3 - Memphis plays tournament winner in best of 3 game series
- 8th Spot - Play-In winner receives 8th seed in the West
- Break - 15 playoff teams rest during 3 game play-in series
Playoffs - 16 Teams Best of 7
- Best of 7 - Play a regular and full best of 7 game series playoffs
Why
Teams
- Effort to come back may not be worth it for all teams
- 9-12 teams in West are very close in standings, and to 8th place
- 9-12 Teams in East are well behind the 8th placed team
Exhibition
- Teams play teams they are unlikely to meet in playoffs
- Fans will just be happy that their teams are playing games
- Wins and player stats do not count toward 2019-2020 season
Tournament
- 9-12 teams in West all likely desired and had chance to make playoffs
- 9-16 teams in East had much lower likelihood and desire to make playoffs
- A single game playoff is exciting, and teams weren't actually in playoff seed
Play-In
- Memphis could have been caught by one of the tournament teams
- A 3 Game series is adequate yet exciting, as 9-12 were close to 8th place
- Play-In player stats would likely count toward 2019-2020 playoff stats
Playoffs
- The playoff revenue may take priority over regular season games
- Playing best of 7 gives a true winner and a regular playoff schedule
- Full playoffs given priority even if 2020-2021 season needs shortened
May 17th, 2020