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NBA playoff seeding structure and schedule remain hot buttons – how changes would affect OKC Thunder

By Tamberlyn Richardson

OKC Thunder: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. (Photo by Seyllou / AFP) (Photo credit should read SEYLLOU/AFP/Getty Images)
OKC Thunder: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. (Photo by Seyllou / AFP) (Photo credit should read SEYLLOU/AFP/Getty Images) /
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Adam Silver Commissioner of the NBA poses for a photograph along with Michelle Roberts NBA Players union chief (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Changes to schedule and playoff seeding are key among the NBA BOG and Players Union hot points. But how would this affect the OKC Thunder?

It’s no secret the league is actively looking at ways to improve the product on the floor and this includes discussions on shortening the season and changing the playoff format. In terms of the OKC Thunder, they’ll be affected just like all 30 teams by whatever decision the league decides upon. However, given the dynamics of the current restructuring of the franchise, some of these changes would have a more immediate impact on the Thunder.

Adrian Wojnarowski and Zach Lowe updated on these discussions yesterday via their article:  Sources: NBA considering reseeding conference finalists, postseason play-in.

Midseason Tournament:

The trio of ideas is something the league has been mulling over for several seasons now with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver pushing his midseason tournament ranking high among them. This tournament is designed as a revenue generator and a way to offset the money lost if the NBA shortens the season.

The irony, of course, is the teams who typically would perform well would be the elite teams meaning they’ll still end up participating in the same amount of games they do now. As per Wojnarowski and Lowe, the tournament would tentatively be slated to begin around the U.S. Thanksgiving and run through to mid-December.

"The NBA and NBPA are finding common ground on a post-Thanksgiving tournament window that would extend into mid-December, league sources said. Months ago, the NBA had proposed a late January-February tournament that would culminate with a Final Four during All-Star weekend, sources said. That idea faded fast."

For the OKC Thunder, this tournament may have a positive effect since they aren’t likely to be in the upper echelon for some years while they focus on “repositioning and replenishing”. In fact, the midseason tournament is likely more appealing to lower tier teams simply because it offers them bragging rights if they win.

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