Adam Silver Address: Playoff re-format potential, NBAPA-refs meet, technology

Adam Silver held his annual All-Star Weekend press conference with highlights on playoff reformatting potential, technological pursuits, refs – players meeting and social media.

Every All-Star Weekend the National Basketball Association Commissioner Adam Silver addresses the media.

In the LA press conference Silver addressed the areas the Association is directing their attention at in terms of growing the league. Adam Silver addressed topics such as  entry age to the NBA, pursuit of technological advances, playoff reformatting, growth globally and in social media and numerous other subjects.

After a brief update from Adam Silver he took questions from the assembled global media throng.  As with every time Silver is in front of the media there are topics which get revisited every time the Commish is available. I won’t recreate the press conference in it’s entirely. Rather, I’ve included a portion of the conference for your perusal. The NBA site posts it here. Listed below are the toplines discussed and some personal thoughts on a few of those subjects.

Top Lines Adam Silver Addressed:

Below are the key points Silver addressed at the bottom I elaborated on the one I have an extremely strong opinion about.

New All-Star Game Format:

Silver revisits how the change occurred and pays tribute to the group who jumped on how to handle it. Silver specifically cited Chris Paul (Player elected President of the Players Association), Michael Jordan (Chairman of Labor Relations Committee) and Michele Roberts (Executive Director of the National Basketball Players Association).

Technology continues to be major focus: 

Silver attended recent technology conference and elaborates on “mixed reality” as something the NBA is investigating long term to offer “in game experiences” for the global market.

Social Media Growth:

NBA community is 1.4 billion people. Roughly one in seven people on the planet witnessed at least a portion of an NBA game

Youth Basketball:

Although Silver states the sides are still conflicted. Clearly this issue still isn’t close to resolution. With the current CBA in place I’d bet it won’t be any time soon.

Players – Officials met:

Silver feigned only knowing what others knew based on the press release. Clearly this issue needs a deeper dive – sorry fans don’t expect any major changes any time soon.

‘Shut up and dribble’ ignorant statement:

Silver was asked about the female Fox reporter who apparently was thirsty for attention. The Commissioner spoke of his pride for how players handle themselves socially. Moreover, Silver was clearly in agreement with how James dealt with this situation.

In terms of the ignorant comments made by this attention seeking reporter, it’s probably best I refrain from commentary. I choose instead not give her the attention she is so desperately seeking.

Players and Officials meeting:

Silver says the league will eventually be involved. But, he hasn’t had a chance to speak directly with anyone who was personally at the meeting. He does state the need for respect and being being more empathetic.

Playoff Re-Formatting:

 Initially the question posed focused on picking the best 24 players for the All-Star game and blossomed into discussion on playoff formatting. Silver did say they are investigating the playoff portion of this question, but travel is a deterrent.

For example, what if the top seed was the furthermost western team and they end up seeded to play the easternmost team in the first round. Then the two and three seeds end up being New York and Brooklyn or Houston and Dallas. That scenario alone would afford the lower seeds much greater advantages. Would this result in a reverse tank situation?

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• Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder

Why I’m against changing playoff format:

While I understand why this is an ongoing issue I also have strong opinions about this topic.  The NBA has a rich history, so (at least in my perspective) rewarding a team who can afford to buy and spend over a smaller market doesn’t behoove the NBA.

Imagine if OKC ownership weren’t willing to make the moves they currently are instead electing to stay under the cap. Should the NBA then reward owners who can afford to potentially pay $300 million a season (as early as next year) over a franchise who doesn’t deem that an economical business decision.

In essence you could end up with four teams all on one conference getting 20 of the 24 All-Stars and repeatedly going to the semi’s and finals. If anyone can answer me how that grows the game and offers fanbases reasons to stay invested through tough times knowing ownerships may never elect to become spenders then fine.

Next: All-Time OKC Top Scorers

Until then I remain firmly entrenched on the side of maintaining eight seeds from each conference. Players and owners will ultimately determine the sway of power. So, for teams on the west who been through a tougher stretch in recent years, just remember everything shifts and although younger fans may not recall, there was a time when the east dominated for decades.