The "rest" factor

[Andre]

I thought it might be a good topic for a discussion.

After seing the Suns losing to the Spurs in game 1, I was wondering if it is fair to have a round beginning so early, without giving both teams the chance to get 2 days of rest before starting the new series.

Phoenix won game 6 against the Mavs only few hours before starting the W. Conf. Finals. This might have been a reason for the loss and can have an impact in the series.

Do you think it's fair? Or would you rather implement some rule allowing for at least a 2 days break?

On one side it is fair that a team that swept another team gets an advantage in the next series, against a team that needed 6 or 7 game to advance.
On the other side, the spirit of the playoff is having the best team winning the title, and in some case this might not happen because of the "rest factor".

Certainly a 7 game series is long enough and game 1 is not the most important one..but still it counts as 1 win towards the 4 you need to win the series. And the Suns are now down by one.....

What's your opinion?

[dan_suth]

I just don't understand why the Western Conf. Finals began a day before the Eastern Conf. Finals begin, seeing as the 2nd round in the East was closed out on Thursday, and the 2nd round in the West ended on Friday. The Western Finals began 2 days after the Semis ended, and the Eastern Finals begin 4 days after the Semis ended. Why didn't they change it so that the Pistons/Heat played on Sunday and the Spurs/Suns today? Woulda made more sense to me...

[cyanide]

like dan_suth said, I was shocked to see the Suns play against the Spurs before Miami gets to play against Detroit. Detroit had more rest than the Suns did, and it would be evenly balanced if the game 1 days were reversed.

[dan_suth]

yep.. not only would it have been more fair, but I would've actually been able to watch the Pistons play if they were on Sunday instead.. tonight is season finale of 24 and Las Vegas, the only two tv shows I sit down and watch every week. I won't have a chance to catch even one minute of the game

[Strike Freedom]

They want to finish the playoff and final on time?
so the stadium can be used for next sports event?

[Andrew]

Good question. A team that sweeps has earned themselves a longer rest, nothing unfair about that. I can see your point about the best team winning the championship, but fatigue is a part of the game and certainly part of the playoffs. A great team will overcome such obstacles.

I'm not against a change to give teams a little more rest, but I don't think it's necessary. The Suns did have more than 24 hours to rest before the start of the WCF, and they didn't look too fatigued.

[FendeR`]

I'll have to agree with Andrew. If you can sweep the series, you deserve the rest. Otherwise, just deal with the fatigue. I think it's a part of the game.

[Alvin]

too much rest is another thing though... a team can lose momentum that way.

[cyanide]

^ I think the Lakers had to deal with that a few years ago.

[furious1]

I just don't understand why the Western Conf. Finals began a day before the Eastern Conf. Finals begin, seeing as the 2nd round in the East was closed out on Thursday, and the 2nd round in the West ended on Friday. The Western Finals began 2 days after the Semis ended, and the Eastern Finals begin 4 days after the Semis ended. Why didn't they change it so that the Pistons/Heat played on Sunday and the Spurs/Suns today? Woulda made more sense to me...

Okay here is why but you may not like the answer.

It's all about television ratings and money. The west finals get higher ratings then the east finals. ABC has rights to the west finals TNT has rights to the east finals. ABC wants a Sunday game because they get the highests ratings on Sunday. ABC paid more money for their contract than TNT. So the west finals start on a Sunday to make ABC happy.

I think it stinks personally.

[Matt]

yep.. not only would it have been more fair, but I would've actually been able to watch the Pistons play if they were on Sunday instead.. tonight is season finale of 24 and Las Vegas, the only two tv shows I sit down and watch every week. I won't have a chance to catch even one minute of the game

i must question your Pistons loyalty.

[shadowgrin]

I just don't understand why the Western Conf. Finals began a day before the Eastern Conf. Finals begin, seeing as the 2nd round in the East was closed out on Thursday, and the 2nd round in the West ended on Friday. The Western Finals began 2 days after the Semis ended, and the Eastern Finals begin 4 days after the Semis ended. Why didn't they change it so that the Pistons/Heat played on Sunday and the Spurs/Suns today? Woulda made more sense to me...

The schedule of the playoffs was made even before the 2004-2005 season started; playoffs, semis, West and East conference Finals, and NBA Finals all start at a definite date no matter which team finished first in a series.
The schedule or date before a season is determined by..

television ratings and money.

..so the NBA schedules it accordingly.