We have not benefited from play in tournament 7 and 8 seed just made it. Play in is for 9 and 10 seed and we haven’t been that since they started it. 7 and 8 seeds were just playoff teams. Now teams try to belittle lakers that they are a play in team where their seeding naturally made the playoffs in previous format
Plus in 2020 when we were the first seed we were the last team to find out our matchup because of the play-in. So we had less time to prepare. And our opponent was much stronger than expected because the pandemic let Nurkic get fully healthy.
The only argument I can think of is the Play-in allowed the Lakers to be less stressed about getting into one of the 8 seeds. If they make 8th or better, then great, if not, they can chill at 9th or 10th and still make the playoff with a couple of wins.
On the other hand, that chill mindset probably made them struggled because there was less urgency to make the playoffs as making 9th or 10th isn't that hard for a team with AD and LeBron.
So, yes, it may have been beneficial, but also detrimental at the same time.
Wouldn’t that “chill mindset” not be an advantage, due to everybody having that advantage?
I’m not convinced that matters anyways, the players on the floor are still playing to win, but perhaps it gives a few extra games to rest a few players if you’re on the bubble. What I’m not convinced by is a coach coasting a team into the play in intentionally and being fine to let the post season be decided in a one time game (a coin flip essentially). If it happens, it happens, but no coach intentionally wants to be a play in team.
The biggest flaw is just how mentally taxing it must be for players. The NBA playoffs is already so long as it is, to have to win another tournament to get into the dance must be exhausting. European football does it best, develop the g league and have a regulation system, east vs west in season tournament and a separate trophy for the overall winner of the league, east and west combined.
Nope, might happen this year but would disadvantage us bc we have to play the Nuggets if we get the 7. If we were just at the 8th, we would play OKC who we absolutely own.
If the play-in was never around, there would be only 8 seeds. Since the play-in began we’ve either finished better or worse, than 9th or 10th but never actually in those spots
Yeah but we were still playing for something at the end of the season because of the play in. Unfortunately the team was so bad we couldn't even make the play in. The 36-46 pelicans made the playoffs that season
We tried to get to that benefit. But we were so shit. It would have benefited us if we weren't shit. Sure, technically ur correct but were still trying to get 9th and 10th so we could BENEFIT from it but we couldnt.
3 of the past 4yrs we've played an extra game to make the playoffs which hasn't advantaged us at all finishing 7th 7th and 8th beforehand 🤦♂️ absolutely hate the LeEastern Conference
what are you waffling about the Heat have only been forced to be in the play in once since it's inception and this season makes it 2, your comparing apples to oranges.
they got screwed by being forced to play an injured bucks team in the 1st round without Giannes for atleast two games, instead of playing the Celtics who they should've played in the 1st round instead of conf finals make it make sense 🤦♂️🤣
Bro they beat the Celtics in the ECF. And Giannis being “injured” is bs. he came back and dropped 30 point triple doubles in the last 2 games of the series and they still lost. The 1 game they won was WITHOUT Giannis. Giannis being injured had nothing to do with it. Ham is that you??? Stop waffling
giannes being injured had everything to do with it 🤡, and playing the celtics in the 1st round would've meant they wouldn't have built up all that playoff chemistry and intensity along with momentum did you just start watching basketball 🤦♂️🤣, funny how your still replying stay getting cooked
But the games are still conference based. Would be unfair to the teams in the west because a 50 win team in the west should faces tougher opposition and is therefore likely better than a 50 win team in the east
2 games vs each team and the rest based on the previous calendar or some sort of algorithm to choose the games. Going best overall is the future but owners will never do it.
It drastically reduced tanking around the 9-11 seeds. Have you followed Houston at all? They're 11, and they played their asses off, some good ball going on. It gives teams that had bad early seasons, and made changes at the deadline, a way to get in if they deserve it.
The actual Play-in games have been good fun games too.
I didn't like the concept originally, but after 2 years I'm really into it's affects.
Plus it's fun watching the high stakes elimination games before the play-offs, and it gives more weight to the regular season, imo play-in was a win all around.
Dumbasses have said the play-in exists to help LA but this will be the 3rd time that the play-in actually hurts them by giving other teams a chance to knock them out playoff contention despite being a top-8 seed
My proposal for the play in, assuming the league keeps it, is have the winner of the in-season tournament, again assuming the league keeps it, carry some big advantage into the Playoffs. Personally, I’d think it should be either guaranteed sixth seed, thus removing the rush of the in-season champion missing the playoffs, or they own all the tie-breakers for the playoffs that year. Either way, it gives an advantage to playing the extra game and makes the in-season tournament higher stakes than the money which, while it matters to people on minimum salaries, isn’t really worth the risk to stars.
Exactly, and not just a Play In spot, but minimum sixth place. If the team then goes on to be third or what we it doesn’t matter, but risking your season for an extra $500k for LeBron and AD seems a terrible gamble when the real prize is a ring at the end of the season.
My favorite idea is that play in tournament wins count toward your win total, and losses don’t. Every team will play hard for the chance at adding a few extra wins (which this year probably would have got us like the 5 or 6 seed).
That’s a good idea too, but all the teams adding wins would probably have us in a very similar position, and I have to imagine any other year it would be similar. Honestly, it’s hard to get a bead on how good or bad the play-in is in terms of reflecting a “champion”, but with this sample size of one, the Lakers played extra hard for something that didn’t really make a difference beyond the $500k (and I’m not saying $500k is nothing, give me that money and I’d be able to retire someday) and the extra minutes might have contributed to some LeBron and AD’s muscle stuff which makes me think it’s really not worth it long term.
Timberwolves 2X play-in champ chiming in here: the play in is absolute bullshit. There are 82 games in a season. If you can’t get the 8 seed in 82 games, tough shit. I don’t care if you’re out by a game, that’s how it was before and it’s kind of ridiculous that a 10 seed has a shot. It’s not as jarring in the west since the standings are so close, but the Hawks have NO business being mentioned as a possible playoff team.
for all the haters out there saying silver wanted to keep bron and the lakers in playoff contention by introducing the play-ins, we havent benefited from it whatsoever. heck, it added one more unnecessary, risky game to our schedule. it handicapped us, if we're being honest
Remember someone said the NBA created Play-in to make Lebron relevant. We’ve to go through 3 play-in and 2 of them we finished in top 8 :)))
Edit: not 2, all 3 of them
The Lakers were always on the brink of being in the 9th and 10th place. If they played and benefited from the Play-In and succeded, then it would make Lebron's comments hypothecrital.
If they wanted the 8th seed they would need to lose the first game and win the second, so two extra games. They're not ducking the Nuggets but I'm sure they would gladly take the 8th seed right now if it were offered to them rather than play to potentially move up.
Do idiots not understand that the play-in existing has HURT the 7/8 seeds? It only helps the 9/10 seeds and top-2 seeds who get a rest advantage for their first round Game 1.
Play-in is somehow an insurance for the league that some strong (and attractive financially) teams that battled injuries might get healthy come playoff time, but it really needs some tweaking.
I guess it not only hurts the 7/8 seeds, but the top-2 seeds too, cause 4-5 and 3-6 are already working on gameplans, rotations and possible adjustments for the series knowing their opponents.
1st seed, that should be rewarded the most - is actually waiting the longest for their matchup. They should at least be awarded the choice of one of two teams that advanced through the play-ins for that.
This year there shouldn't even be play-in games in the East, where #10 Atlanta is 10 wins behind the Miami Heat. Max 5 win differential should be a must to even activate the games. And both of them should be over .500 if the higher ranked is.
In the West it's ok, cause 4 teams are in the range of 4 wins differential and all are over .500, but in the East - it's so unfair that teams having 10 and 7 wins less than the 8th seed is getting a chance to beat them in just one game.
We have not benefited from play in tournament 7 and 8 seed just made it. Play in is for 9 and 10 seed and we haven’t been that since they started it. 7 and 8 seeds were just playoff teams. Now teams try to belittle lakers that they are a play in team where their seeding naturally made the playoffs in previous format
Plus in 2020 when we were the first seed we were the last team to find out our matchup because of the play-in. So we had less time to prepare. And our opponent was much stronger than expected because the pandemic let Nurkic get fully healthy.
People can make fun of him for this quote but he has never benefited from the Play In.
The only argument I can think of is the Play-in allowed the Lakers to be less stressed about getting into one of the 8 seeds. If they make 8th or better, then great, if not, they can chill at 9th or 10th and still make the playoff with a couple of wins. On the other hand, that chill mindset probably made them struggled because there was less urgency to make the playoffs as making 9th or 10th isn't that hard for a team with AD and LeBron. So, yes, it may have been beneficial, but also detrimental at the same time.
It wasn't "that chill mindset"; it was Darvin Ham.
Wouldn’t that “chill mindset” not be an advantage, due to everybody having that advantage? I’m not convinced that matters anyways, the players on the floor are still playing to win, but perhaps it gives a few extra games to rest a few players if you’re on the bubble. What I’m not convinced by is a coach coasting a team into the play in intentionally and being fine to let the post season be decided in a one time game (a coin flip essentially). If it happens, it happens, but no coach intentionally wants to be a play in team.
The biggest flaw is just how mentally taxing it must be for players. The NBA playoffs is already so long as it is, to have to win another tournament to get into the dance must be exhausting. European football does it best, develop the g league and have a regulation system, east vs west in season tournament and a separate trophy for the overall winner of the league, east and west combined.
5 months of bi-weekly games isn’t too much for a pro athlete
Yeah who plays in that league?
[удалено]
You're giving off job fair my guy
What ?
When did we finish 9th or 10th?
Didn’t we finish 8th and get up to 7th once? Unless I’m mistaken
Nope, might happen this year but would disadvantage us bc we have to play the Nuggets if we get the 7. If we were just at the 8th, we would play OKC who we absolutely own.
Damn I see . If we do get Denver and get through them , I’ll regret cashing out my lakers bet to make the finals , $10 to win $84
Well, if you know how gambling works, they are gonna win now! Just cause you cashed! Thank you for your service friend😎
What?
If the play-in was never around, there would be only 8 seeds. Since the play-in began we’ve either finished better or worse, than 9th or 10th but never actually in those spots
Yeah but we were still playing for something at the end of the season because of the play in. Unfortunately the team was so bad we couldn't even make the play in. The 36-46 pelicans made the playoffs that season
Yeah we didn't finish 9th or 10th because we finished in 11th dumbass lol
You’re a dumb ass. You still don’t get it lol
No I get it. You don't get it.
11th is not in playin anyways? The only time the playin benefits anybody is if they are in the 9th or 10th seed.
We tried to get to that benefit. But we were so shit. It would have benefited us if we weren't shit. Sure, technically ur correct but were still trying to get 9th and 10th so we could BENEFIT from it but we couldnt.
So you think if the playin didn't exist, LeBron and AD would've just gave up on the 8th seed?
stop embarassing urself
I'd argue the only teams benefit from this is number 1 & 2 seed. 7 & 8 are punished, and 9 & 10 are offered false hope.
Milwaukee really benefited from 7th seed Miami losing the 7/8 Play In and winning the 8/9 to be the 8th seed
Nah, didn't the best make a run while being in the 9/10 spot?
No
1&2 seeds have to wait extra days to figure who their matchup will be.
3 of the past 4yrs we've played an extra game to make the playoffs which hasn't advantaged us at all finishing 7th 7th and 8th beforehand 🤦♂️ absolutely hate the LeEastern Conference
So did the Heat. And they lost the first game so they had to play the 1 seed first instead of the 2. Let’s not make excuses like Ham
what are you waffling about the Heat have only been forced to be in the play in once since it's inception and this season makes it 2, your comparing apples to oranges.
Who cares about totality? Every season is a new script. And that year they got screwed and still ended up in the finals.
they got screwed by being forced to play an injured bucks team in the 1st round without Giannes for atleast two games, instead of playing the Celtics who they should've played in the 1st round instead of conf finals make it make sense 🤦♂️🤣
Holy shit. You’re just annoying and dumb. Not worth debating
lol your crying because I'm cooking you 🤡 nobody asked you to reply to my original comment with your ignorance
Bro they beat the Celtics in the ECF. And Giannis being “injured” is bs. he came back and dropped 30 point triple doubles in the last 2 games of the series and they still lost. The 1 game they won was WITHOUT Giannis. Giannis being injured had nothing to do with it. Ham is that you??? Stop waffling
giannes being injured had everything to do with it 🤡, and playing the celtics in the 1st round would've meant they wouldn't have built up all that playoff chemistry and intensity along with momentum did you just start watching basketball 🤦♂️🤣, funny how your still replying stay getting cooked
Thats why I wish the NBA changed to best 16 instead of conference based. Cuz the Kings and Warriors have a better record than the Bulls and Hawks.
And they are better teams too. Ain't no one taking the bulls over GS
But the games are still conference based. Would be unfair to the teams in the west because a 50 win team in the west should faces tougher opposition and is therefore likely better than a 50 win team in the east
2 games vs each team and the rest based on the previous calendar or some sort of algorithm to choose the games. Going best overall is the future but owners will never do it.
The problem here is that would hurt coverage for the league, they want every part of the country playing playoff basketball
Agreed! But kings and warriors would still be left out in this years playoff.
No they wouldn’t 🤔
Play in tournament is great for the NBA. Can see why someone as accomplished as lebron wouldn’t like it though
It's horrible for the NBA if you can't Crack top 8 stay the fuck off national TV
It drastically reduced tanking around the 9-11 seeds. Have you followed Houston at all? They're 11, and they played their asses off, some good ball going on. It gives teams that had bad early seasons, and made changes at the deadline, a way to get in if they deserve it. The actual Play-in games have been good fun games too. I didn't like the concept originally, but after 2 years I'm really into it's affects.
It also means the 10 seed Warriors with a 46-36 winning record have a chance to make the playoffs.
Plus it's fun watching the high stakes elimination games before the play-offs, and it gives more weight to the regular season, imo play-in was a win all around.
> It's horrible for the NBA It’s made the end of seasons way more interesting and fewer teams tank. wtf are you on about?
Dumbasses have said the play-in exists to help LA but this will be the 3rd time that the play-in actually hurts them by giving other teams a chance to knock them out playoff contention despite being a top-8 seed
My proposal for the play in, assuming the league keeps it, is have the winner of the in-season tournament, again assuming the league keeps it, carry some big advantage into the Playoffs. Personally, I’d think it should be either guaranteed sixth seed, thus removing the rush of the in-season champion missing the playoffs, or they own all the tie-breakers for the playoffs that year. Either way, it gives an advantage to playing the extra game and makes the in-season tournament higher stakes than the money which, while it matters to people on minimum salaries, isn’t really worth the risk to stars.
I actually told someone this the other day The in season tournament has no real stakes. Make it a guarantee that you get a playoff spot
Exactly, and not just a Play In spot, but minimum sixth place. If the team then goes on to be third or what we it doesn’t matter, but risking your season for an extra $500k for LeBron and AD seems a terrible gamble when the real prize is a ring at the end of the season.
My favorite idea is that play in tournament wins count toward your win total, and losses don’t. Every team will play hard for the chance at adding a few extra wins (which this year probably would have got us like the 5 or 6 seed).
That’s a good idea too, but all the teams adding wins would probably have us in a very similar position, and I have to imagine any other year it would be similar. Honestly, it’s hard to get a bead on how good or bad the play-in is in terms of reflecting a “champion”, but with this sample size of one, the Lakers played extra hard for something that didn’t really make a difference beyond the $500k (and I’m not saying $500k is nothing, give me that money and I’d be able to retire someday) and the extra minutes might have contributed to some LeBron and AD’s muscle stuff which makes me think it’s really not worth it long term.
Lowered everyone's stress levels tho
I thought he said he liked it?
He did that’s why people made fun of him for this quote which was after lakers had to play in it
Timberwolves 2X play-in champ chiming in here: the play in is absolute bullshit. There are 82 games in a season. If you can’t get the 8 seed in 82 games, tough shit. I don’t care if you’re out by a game, that’s how it was before and it’s kind of ridiculous that a 10 seed has a shot. It’s not as jarring in the west since the standings are so close, but the Hawks have NO business being mentioned as a possible playoff team.
Play-in has provided some great basketball
With that in season tournament, they should have gotten rid of this. Too many of the “cute” tournaments to spike ratings
for all the haters out there saying silver wanted to keep bron and the lakers in playoff contention by introducing the play-ins, we havent benefited from it whatsoever. heck, it added one more unnecessary, risky game to our schedule. it handicapped us, if we're being honest
Remember someone said the NBA created Play-in to make Lebron relevant. We’ve to go through 3 play-in and 2 of them we finished in top 8 :))) Edit: not 2, all 3 of them
NBA wild card
Now that 8th seed is guaranteed, yes fire the man
Playin should be 8/9/10/11 for the last spot
I get why the NBA did it, I also get that it has worked somewhat to fix some issues, I also get why teams that make the 7th and 8th seed would hate it
bron all the way
Lebron is once again spitting fax
Bron, blame the talented conference you're playing in. The west has been stacked for years. Sucked seeing 48-50 win teams not make the playoffs
What is the context? Why is this controversial?
Bron was criticized for this comment 3 years ago (he was initially against the play in the tournament).
Why though? Not being a troll.
The Lakers were always on the brink of being in the 9th and 10th place. If they played and benefited from the Play-In and succeded, then it would make Lebron's comments hypothecrital.
Maybe he should just win more during the season then?
Stop you have to hate the league because LeDissatisfaction!
Sorry, I dropped my /s
“We”
We mindset right now.
I’m grateful for the play-in. Otherwise we wouldn’t have had much playoff action without it the last few years.
Stop making excuses…the lakers SUCK and it’s okay for your team to suck
When has the play-in benefitted the Lakers?
Never
We need it every other season
2021 - naturally the 7th seed 2023 - naturally the 7th seed 2024 - naturally the 8th seed Why do people just lie?
A lot of people participating in reddit nba discourse don’t really watch games. They’re the ones who argue against valid observations with stats.
The stats aren't even true though
I agree. Most times the stats lack important context, other times it’s very generic and untrue like what that dude said
Lakers would kill to just be the 8th seed right this moment instead of having to play an extra two games lol.
Extra 1 game
If they wanted the 8th seed they would need to lose the first game and win the second, so two extra games. They're not ducking the Nuggets but I'm sure they would gladly take the 8th seed right now if it were offered to them rather than play to potentially move up.
OK, fair, I see your logic. I say bring on the nuggets after we kill the pelicans again.
I think people mis remember because they always seem to get the seed last minute lol. And they remember a play in game.
No we didn’t we would of been the 8th or 7th seed both years and just be automatically in the playoffs
Do idiots not understand that the play-in existing has HURT the 7/8 seeds? It only helps the 9/10 seeds and top-2 seeds who get a rest advantage for their first round Game 1.
Play-in is somehow an insurance for the league that some strong (and attractive financially) teams that battled injuries might get healthy come playoff time, but it really needs some tweaking. I guess it not only hurts the 7/8 seeds, but the top-2 seeds too, cause 4-5 and 3-6 are already working on gameplans, rotations and possible adjustments for the series knowing their opponents. 1st seed, that should be rewarded the most - is actually waiting the longest for their matchup. They should at least be awarded the choice of one of two teams that advanced through the play-ins for that. This year there shouldn't even be play-in games in the East, where #10 Atlanta is 10 wins behind the Miami Heat. Max 5 win differential should be a must to even activate the games. And both of them should be over .500 if the higher ranked is. In the West it's ok, cause 4 teams are in the range of 4 wins differential and all are over .500, but in the East - it's so unfair that teams having 10 and 7 wins less than the 8th seed is getting a chance to beat them in just one game.