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Leagues and Governing Bodies

Silver Talks Possible NBA Playoff Format Shuffle, One-And-Done

Silver said that the NBA is at odds over whether or not to change the one-and-done ruleNBAE/GETTY IMAGES

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver on Saturday raised the "possibility of reseeding the playoffs in the future by continuing to take the top eight teams from each conference regardless of record, but then seed them from 1-16," according to Tim Bontemps of the WASHINGTON POST. Silver, speaking during his annual state-of-the-league address, said, "That is something that’s gotten serious attention, not just recently, but over the last few years at the league office. I think, as I’ve said in the past, the obstacle is travel, and it’s not tradition in my mind, at least. Having said that, you also would like to have a format where your two best teams are ultimately going to meet in The Finals." Meanwhile, Silver said the NBA is “conflicted” about the possibility of changing the “one-and-done” rule. He added that the league is "waiting on a commission appointed by the NCAA to study the issue" (WASHINGTON POST, 2/18). Silver said, "We have a better draft when we've had an opportunity to see these young players play an elite level before they come into the NBA. On the other hand, I think the question for the league is, in terms of their ultimate success, are we better off intersecting with them a little bit younger? Are we better off bringing them into the league when they're 18, using our G League as it was designed to be as a development league?" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 2/18).

TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING? ESPN's Mike Golic said he likes the idea of a revamped playoff format, but "do we need this?" Golic: "I like the fact that you are thinking of change and keeping it fresh, and the other side, are we knee-jerking too much because the Western Conference has been dominant the last couple of years?" ESPN's Adnan Virk added, "It's a pretty drastic move when it's all said and done, and I just don't think it's as critical to the league right now. It's in a great place" ("Golic & Wingo," ESPN Radio, 2/19).

EARLY TO CALL; In Boston, Gary Washburn writes the one-and-done rule is the one topic the NBA has "refused to address because it doesn’t have a solution." But what "makes changing the rule difficult is the success of some one-and-done players." There is no "real solution that would work better than the current structure, so don’t expect change ... any time soon" (BOSTON GLOBE, 2/19). In Kentucky, Ben Roberts writes those "hoping for a quick end" to one-and-done "probably didn’t like" most of Silver's comments on the matter (LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER, 2/19).

EVERYBODY WANTS SOME: In Salt Lake City, Kyle Goon noted the Jazz this week are "planning on finalizing their bid" for either the '22 or '23 NBA All-Star Game and plan to submit it in the next two weeks. The team plans to "highlight the renovated Vivint Smart Home Arena, infrastructure improvements in Utah, business and entertainment partnership opportunities and more." ASG events "would be located in the arena, the Salt Palace and the Huntsman Center" on the Univ. of Utah campus. Jazz President Steve Starks said that one of the "biggest problems in Utah’s last All-Star bid -- hotel rooms -- should not be an issue this time around" (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 2/18). Yahoo Sports' Chris Mannix cited sources as saying that there is a "strong likelihood that Boston -- if it wants it -- can secure" the '22 ASG. Boston last hosted in '64 (TWITTER.com, 2/16). The Celtics "declined to comment" on a possible bid (BOSTON HERALD, 2/19). In Sacramento, Ailene Voisin noted the Kings' bid to host the ASG in '22 or '23 has "familiar thorny issues -- the number of hotel rooms" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 2/18).

TRADING PLACES: In N.Y., Marc Stein noted this year's Feb. 8 trade deadline was the "first time in at least four decades" that it occurred before the ASG. Without "any trade talk in the background," All-Star weekend felt "drastically different from any in recent memory." Stein: "Just as the NBA had hoped." Silver earlier last week said "early returns have been positive" on the scheduling change (N.Y. TIMES, 2/18).

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