The pros and cons of the NBA Play-In Tournament

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – JANUARY 09: LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets is greeted by Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks following their game at Spectrum Center on January 09, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina, The pros and cons of the NBA Play-In Tournament. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

When the NBA shut down due to COVID, there was a lot of speculation regarding what the NBA was going to do with the playoffs. In the end, they decided to add the first version of the Play-In Tournament, which was only with the eight and nine seeds.

Also, the nine seed had to be within four games for the chance of a double-elimination game. Then for the next season, the NBA improved the idea of the Play-In Tournament, which added the seventh seed and the 10th seed to the tournament.

The pros and cons of the NBA Play-In Tournament

The Play-In tournament is back for this season as well, and I am starting to wonder if the Play-In tournament is even a good idea. As of right now, both conferences are in two different places.

When it comes to the East, the NBA Play-In Tournament seems like it makes sense for this season. As of right now, the Cleveland Cavaliers, Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, and Atlanta Hawks would be the teams in the tournament.

The Hawks, who would be the 10 seed, are only four games back of the Cavs who are the seventh seed. They are also just a game and a half back of the Nets, who are the eighth seed. With the East, it is a race, and I’m sure that will not be the final seeding when it comes playoff time.

However, the same cannot be said about the Western Conference. As of right now, the Minnesota Timberwolves, LA Clippers, New Orleans Pelicans, and Los Angeles Lakers would all be in the Play-In tournament.

Now, why is this situation different from the East, you may ask? It is because three of the four teams are below .500. The only team that is above is the Timberwolves, who are 10 games above.

The big issue for me is that the Timberwolves do not have a guarantee that they will make the playoffs even though they deserve it compared to the Lakers, who are 13 games below .500.

Let’s say the Timberwolves lose their two games and the Spurs win their two games and get the eighth seed. That just doesn’t seem fair. Yes, I know there are plenty of counterarguments you can make as well.

One argument is that if the Timberwolves can’t beat the Spurs, then they do not belong in the playoffs. I can understand that argument if it was a best of three series, but it’s only one game. Teams can get lucky and win games. We see that all the time in the NBA.

Another argument against the NBA Play-In Tournament is what the purpose is. Yes, I understand it gives teams who just miss the playoffs a chance to make it in. But let’s say the Spurs get the eighth seed. The Spurs will then end up playing the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the playoffs. I hate to be that guy, but the Spurs have almost no shot to upset the Suns and advance to the next round.

If you need more clarification on what I mean, let’s take a trip to last season when the Washington Wizards and Memphis Grizzlies were both the eight seeds. Both teams lost in five games to the respective one seeds. It is very unlikely for an eight seed to beat a one seed, as it has only happened four times in NBA history.

However, I think there’s a place for the Play-In Tournament to stay in today’s NBA. I think they need to make some big changes for the tournament. The main thing they have to do is add something back they took out of the tournament. They ended up taking out the 4 games back rule which I liked. It will keep the Eastern Conference still competitive and it makes sure that the Timberwolves have their playoff spot locked up.

But is the NBA Play-In Tournament a good idea for the league? Yes, it is a good idea, and it should stay. The NBA will likely continue making changes to the tournament, as it is a very new idea still as was made during The Bubble. I am very excited to see how the NBA can expand on this idea and make it better so we the fans can have the best viewing experience possible.