NBA should change the playoffs

Can't wait for the Warriors game tonight. HUGE game for them. They still have a chance even if they don't win (given the Nuggets recent propensity to choke against teams they should beat, like the Sonics), but it would be a long shot.

Anyway, the whole thing has me thinking about the history-making fact that a 50-win team (either the Warriors or Nuggets) may not make the NBA playoffs in the Western Conference. Ridiculous. That has never happened before. In fact, I don't believe any team with more than 46 wins has ever not made the playoffs.

Ironically, one of the last teams to get 45 wins and not make the playoffs was our very own Golden State Warriors in 1981-1982. Talk about old-school -- players like Bernard King and World B. Free (pictured below), along with the obligatory tight shorts and long socks.

Meanwhile, over in the East, the Hawks are ready to roll in the #8 seed with a 36-42 record. YOU SHOULDN'T BE IN THE PLAYOFFS IF YOUR RECORD IS UNDER .500! If the discrepancy in talent between the East and West is going to remain so substantial, then the NBA has to change the way they bracket the playoffs. Maybe the winner of each division + the top 10 teams regardless of conference? I don't know the answer, but I know it hurts the sport to have a 50-win team not make the playoffs.

Rebuttal
This is actually one of the annoying things about the NBA. 16 of 30 teams (53%) make the playoffs -- more than half the teams. If you're better than .500, you're considered "good" in the NBA. By contrast, only 12 of 32 NFL teams make the playoffs (37%) and 8 of 30 MLB teams make the playoffs (27%). That's why they are better sports. It actually means something to make the post-season. The NBA's playoff open-door policy is rivaled only by the NHL. Nuff said.

Dude you don't know what you are talking about... A conference is a conference the top 8 teams make the playoffs it doesn't matter if they are under 500 or not. If the West is so good then who ever makes it to the final show should have no problems against the East. I believe that the playoffs are a new season and all teams start with 0 wins on there plate, so anything can happen. I hope that the raptors meet your warriors in the final and Smoke them!

Rebuttal
It may be annoying but that is the way it is. The only way to really resolve the issue is to reduce the amount of teams and thus only the cream of the crop would be playing in the league and thus more teams would be over .500 and it would be more competitive to make it to the top. So if you have an issue go and talk to the greedy owners who want to make more money off each franchise and you may get your wish.

If not don't complain on how the league is run and just be happy your team is in or fighting for a playoff spot because you never know who will be the next NBA champion it may even be your Warriors (NOT!)