Why does no one care who wins the regular season?

[EGarrett]

I find it interesting that so much emphasis is placed on winning the Playoffs, but the team that finishes with the best record in the regular season gets no attention.

Winning is really just a matter of pride...but no one takes pride in having the best record over an entire season of 82 games in a field of 29 teams. That's kind of strange to me.

Maybe they need to hand out a big shiny trophy with a fancy name for it? Sadly, that probably would make a difference.

[J@3]

I've often thought the same thing. In rugby league we have the "Minor Premiers", it's an award/label given to the team who finishes top of the table after the regular season. It's just some recognition for what the teams have achieved throughout an entire season. I know the play-offs are more important etc, but to finish #1 in the league after 82 games is something that should be recognised more.

[Fenix]

If the team with the best regular season record meets team with the second best one in the Finals, the first team gets homecourt advantage. Isn't that a sort of recognition?

[J@3]

I don't think 82 games of intense struggling is worth homecourt advantage IF they make the finals lol.

[Laxation]

I don't think 82 games of intense struggling is worth homecourt advantage IF they make the finals lol.

tell that to the pistons

[Matt]

Well, teams don't want to burn themselves out before the playoffs. You don't win the NBA championship by winning most reg season games. The playoffs is what counts and that's when teams really turn it on.

82 games is too long to try and get the best record for. You can just imagine that players would be burnt out by the time the playoffs roll around.

Also, lets consider that the team with the best record doesn't always win. LA used to coast through the reg season but were unstoppable in the playoffs.

Seems as though Pistons are going for the best record this season to have "game 7 at home" as Flip said (although i believe their loss was more due to being burnt out rather than not having HC). Winning most games though sets high expectations and greater disappointment.

[Jeffx]

......(although i believe their loss was more due to being burnt out rather than not having HC). Winning most games though sets high expectations and greater disappointment.

Dude, if Rasheed didn't suffer brainlock against Big Shot Bob, you cats would be celebrating a second straight title.

[Andrew]

It's just the mentality of the Playoffs meaning everything since ultimately that is where the title is won and lost. But I agree, more credit should be given to the team that is able to finish atop the league. After all, 82 games is a long season and the chances of injuries, slumps and boredom - all factors that can easily lead to racking up losses - are increased.

The team that can dominate both the regular season and then win it all in the Playoffs has had a truly impressive year.

[MaD_hAND1e]

The team that can dominate both the regular season and then win it all in the Playoffs has had a truly impressive year.

1995-96 Chicago Bulls

[Andrew]

I have to admit, that's who I had in mind when I wrote it.

[Matt]

Dude, if Rasheed didn't suffer brainlock against Big Shot Bob, you cats would be celebrating a second straight title

One could say that. But, it still came down to the last 12 mins and guys look tired. That's what pissed me off about Larry Brown....he overplayed Prince & Benji vs Miami and they looked DEAD vs SAS.

[Fresh8]

I guess its the fact that when playoffs come.. for the top 16 teams, its do or die. And there is a lot of emphasis put on the fact that the teams have to win to keep going. Adds to the excitement/intensity of games!

[frenchy]

Why do they play 82 games before the real action (playoff) ?
58 games would be better (1home and 1 away game against all the 29 other teams)

I guess it is just a $$$$ question.

good idea to create a trophy for the winner of the reg season
I think there is one in the NHL ??

[Andrew]

Playing against teams more than once allows for more tiebreaker rules which almost always come into effect at some point come playoff time. No doubt the extra revenue is a factor but I'm not turning down 24 additional games per year.

[tuanskoko]

what matters is how u end the season, most importantly is the playoffs

[Laxation]

Why do they play 82 games before the real action (playoff) ?

because its fun to watch, and the players should love it too

i know i would

[Blue Nugget]

Also keep in mind that most of those players are paid millions,so I guess you can EXPECT them to play at least 82 games.

[maes]

One reason there's not as much emphasis on the regular season is because what division you're in will HEAVILY affect your regular season record, so two teams with 60 win records on opposite ends of the US are not comparable.

For example, last year the Celtics played the Knicks 6 times, but played the Phoenix Suns only twice. The Lakers played the Phoenix Suns 6 times, the Knicks only twice.

If every team played every other team the same # of times or pretty close to it, i think people would respect the record a little more. But as it stands, people still give the Bulls & Bucks respect despite being dead last in their division, because that division includes Indiana, Detroit, & Cleveland.

[hipn]

Teams try to win th most games because they want to build confidence. If they start to not try a lot and not win, they're conidence level will go onw, and not trying hard will become a hbit, and the if you lose games, some other team is winning, meaning they;re record could be better than your's. Also, teams are soemtimes trying to get the best record in the NBA, by getting the most wins.

[Carmo]

One reason there's not as much emphasis on the regular season is because what division you're in will HEAVILY affect your regular season record, so two teams with 60 win records on opposite ends of the US are not comparable.

For example, last year the Celtics played the Knicks 6 times, but played the Phoenix Suns only twice. The Lakers played the Phoenix Suns 6 times, the Knicks only twice.

If every team played every other team the same # of times or pretty close to it, i think people would respect the record a little more. But as it stands, people still give the Bulls & Bucks respect despite being dead last in their division, because that division includes Indiana, Detroit, & Cleveland.

Isn't the maximum number of games against another team in a season 4??

[Matt]

one would think so.

Also, realistically, only about 3,4 teams can actually claim the best record this season. Out West it will be SAS no doubt, East will probably be Detroit or Miami.

[EGarrett]

Why do they play 82 games before the real action (playoff) ?
58 games would be better (1home and 1 away game against all the 29 other teams)

I personally think 82 games is too many. Players seem to get over-fatigued and injured too often for my taste. Plus with 82 games I don't feel as motivated to turn on the TV when there's a game on.

Of course, for financial reasons it'll never be cut down, but I'm pretty sure the quality of play would be a lot better if they did.

One reason there's not as much emphasis on the regular season is because what division you're in will HEAVILY affect your regular season record, so two teams with 60 win records on opposite ends of the US are not comparable.

And what conference you're in heavily affects the difficulty of your playoff run. Not much difference there...

[hipn]

I like 82 games, because I like watching the games.

[Andrew]

I personally think 82 games is too many. Players seem to get over-fatigued and injured too often for my taste. Plus with 82 games I don't feel as motivated to turn on the TV when there's a game on.

Of course, for financial reasons it'll never be cut down, but I'm pretty sure the quality of play would be a lot better if they did.

Interesting suggestion. The lockout season did provide an example of what a cutdown schedule might be like, however given the rushed offseason and the rust it wasn't the best example of NBA basketball looking better. But I'm still in favour of keeping it at 82.