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

Reseeding four conference seeds:

The other major change being discussed is reseeding through the tournament with the four conference seeds. This could equate to teams playing in the NBA Finals from the same conference. As a long-time NBA fan and one who appreciates the history of the game, I’m not sure how I feel about this potential change. On one hand it allows for the best two teams to meet in the finals but on the other hand, it could mean one Conference dominates the playoffs without the other represented for years at a time.

Last season the Milwaukee Bucks and Toronto Raptors had the top two records in the season. So, in this new format, it would mean they would not have met in the Eastern Conference Finals but instead, each team would’ve faced a Western club (Bucks versus Blazers and Raptors vs. Warriors). The Bucks likely would’ve sailed through their matchup while the Raptors/Warriors would’ve likely had the same result given Durant was already out.

The big problem here is what if this ends up with one conference repeatedly providing the NBA Finals teams? Is the NBA risking losing portions of their fanbase because five or ten years of the Lakers and Clippers in finals would not be something fans in New York, Boston, Chicago or any of the East’s fans would be thrilled to watch year after year?

Rather, the cross conference rivalries are important to keep the entirety of the NBA fan bases invested. I interact with fans from many different teams and last year many non-Raptors fans  (but fans of Eastern clubs) were messaging me of their hopes for Toronto to defeat the Warriors. I doubt those same fans would message me to state the same about the Lakers vs. Clippers for example or conversely if LA fans would be excited for five consecutive seasons of 76ers versus Bucks finals.