NBA evaluating a 20-team group stage to resume season and determine a 8-team playoff
The latest idea would be inspired by football’s World Cup.
The NBA is considering, as reported by The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, a group stage to resume of the season, as Adam Silver will have the opportunity to potentially test one of his more innovative changes during this unique period. This format would replace the traditional first round and determine the final eight remaining teams.
The 16 current playoff teams would qualify for the group stage, along with the four teams with the next-best records: Portland Trial Blazers, New Orleans Pelicans, Sacramento Kings and San Antonio Spurs. The remaining 10 teams would be done for the season.
The 20 teams would be allocated into five tiers in descending order by record.
Tier 1: Bucks, Lakers, Raptors, Clippers
Tier 2: Celtics, Nuggets, Jazz, Heat
Tier 3: Thunder, Rockets, Pacers, Sixers
Tier 4: Mavericks, Grizzlies, Nets, Magic
Tier 5: Blazers, Pelicans, Kings, Spurs
Groups would then be randomly drawn with one team from each tier. Teams from each group would play opponents within their own group twice, giving each team eight games. The two teams from each group with the best record would move on.
Sources tells O’Connor say the NBA has also considered allowing Tier 1 teams to draft their own groups, and that Eastern Conference teams have already pushed back at the league for the group stage suggestion.
Fonte: Kevin O'Connor.