The NBA playoffs official began during the weekend, starting what will end up being about two and a half months of postseason basketball. In theory, that is very fun, but some of the opening games made me think of some things that the NBA can take from the WNBA so that its playoffs are more exciting.
Let’s be so honest here: the 131-80 score on Sunday between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Memphis Grizzlies was not exactly the “playoff basketball” we want. The idea of having to endure three more games of this series when we know that the result is inducing. Why are we delaying the inevitable? And besides, why are we making players compete in unnecessary games and risk more fatigue and injuries?
The NBA needs to take some w tracks here.
If it is not familiar, the WNBA has played with its playoff format in recent years, but the main formula has remained the same. First shorter rounds, and then longer rounds as the playoffs continue. There was a balance of the era of the first round of unique elimination of the WNBA. They really improve the recipe in 2024, just to change the format again in the 2025 season.
This is how the WNBA playoffs worked in 2024: eight teams made the postseason, and the planting was the same as in the NBA – No. 1 vs No. 8, No. 2 vs. No. 7 and so on. The first round was a series of the best of three, with the largest team that organized the first two games and the lowest seed to organize a possible racing of the game 3. There was a small debate about the idea that some teams could not only organize a playoff game if their team lost in two games. That is what I say, win a game adjustment or complaints.
From there, the playoffs moved to a form of the best of five. The highest team organizes Games 1 and 2, the lowest sown team houses game 3 and, if necessary, the game 4. If you reach a 5 game, go back to the sand from the highest sown team. This is the same format for the semifinal and the WNBA finals.
In 2025, there will be slight changes in the WNBA playoffs. The first round will remain better of three, but the lower seed team will receive game 2 instead of game 3. That means that each team in the playoffs will at least organize a game. If the league is paying the charter flight bill, I guess I guess. The only other change in 2025 playoffs will be that the finals will be the best of seven instead of five. Therefore, it will be the best of three for the first round, the best of five for the semifinals and the best of seven for the finals.
Regardless of the small details, the formula is basically the same: it begins smaller and grows as the playoffs continue. It means that we do not have to see a first slow and painful round between two teams that do not coincide. There is still the possibility of exciting discomfort, but for the most part you can advance in the best clashes faster. In addition, players are not playing four exhausting games to sweep a series when the first game in the series was a 41 -point deficit (* cough* OKC). Less possibilities for players to injure, more exciting games for fans, and enhanced more rest for these best planted teams.
The NBA would probably be reluctant to reduce the number of playoff games, due to money (obviously). Only a playoff game not coincident will bring door recipes and television revenues. But the idea of player security must also be consulted. A game season of 82 is long enough, but adding a postseason of almost three months, then only having two months off before you return in the training camp does not seem fair.
Many WNBA faithful can retaliate on the grounds that many WNBA players play 12 months a year between the WNBA season and play abroad. The only reason why they do is for money, and many of them would say they would play less if they gave the choice. It is the reason why low season leagues were created as unmatched and unlimited athletes, to give the players the opportunity to stay at home and have real breaks in their year while obtaining that development and salary out of season. In addition, with the growing research that indicates that women are more likely than men to maintain ligament desjuries, the idea of playing less is a special attractive.
It is a complicated issue, since the NBA playoffs are a large part of the income due to sponsorships, the sale of tickets and other commercial aspects that the League does not give up. However, at some point, the product is diluted a bit. Are people to tune in to see Oklahoma City beat Memphis for 40+ for four games in a row? Maybe, but it will not be the most exciting basketball of the year, and it can also let some casuals be less likely to tune the first round next time.
WNBA has much more to do, but its current playoff structure is something to learn. NBA must analyze the long -term health of the product against short -term income, and take some notes.