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An idea for an new schedule with “tournemant”

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I have an idea for a new schedule that includes an in-season tournament. It merges a European soccer style tournament with more traditional NBA scheduling.

To start a team plays every team in the same division 3 times (12 games). That team plays the other 10 team in the conference 2 times (20 games). Teams play the opposite conference 2 times, the same as today (30 games). For a grand total of 62 regular season games.

Then during the season the league 100% dedicates Monday’s or Tuesday’s (depending on national TV deals) an in season tournament. Split the NBA into 3 tournament tiers of 10 teams each. Every team plays each team in their tier 2 times (18 games). The tournament would be played soccer style, so 18 games total no matter what and the team with the most points (wins, point differential, etc.) wins the tier. The winner of each tier can choose an extra draft pick, lottery tax relief, or a 1 game playoff for the 8 seed in their conference. The play in would only be offered to tier 1 winner, if the tier 1 winner is already a playoff team or chooses another reward (pick 31, a 1st rounder or tax savings) the play in option reverts to the tier 2 winner. If the tier 2 selects a draft pick (I’m thinking pick 40) or tax savings the option reverts to the tier 3 winner. If the tier 3 winner selects another option then the 9th seed in each conference gets the play in game.

The tiers would be determined the 1st year by the 2019-2020 season standings. Top 10 teams tier 1, middle 10 teams tier 2, and bottom 10 teams tier 3. From there the tournament would operate soccer style, top 3 teams get promoted to the next tier and the bottom 3 get relegated down a tier. After a few years the tiers will become very jumbled and a bad team could be competing for a 1st round pick or even a playoff spot.

This would allow teams to save their best players for the path most important to the team. It could allow the LeBrons and Kawai’s to sit out all the tournament games and play 62 regular season games. It will allow the team a time that can be devoted to player development or compete for additional assets. It will also help the fans, every single NBA team will play one night of the week, great for gambling and fantasy. On top of that there would be a lot more insight into the games top players will actually play. I imagine most of them will skip the in season tournament, giving the single game buyer more insight.

This plan adds potential draft picks
Tier 1 winner - pick 31 last of the 1st round
Tier 2 winner - pick 40
Tier 3 winner - pick 50

This plan puts each team at 80 games total before playoffs. It adds 2 play in games that will replace some of the revenue lost from the missing 28 games. I know it’s not perfect but I think it’s a good start towards a better NBA.
 
More creative than most of these ideas, but wouldn't happen, particularly the relegation parts.

We have generally had the Churchillian "worst system in the world, except for all the others" in terms of scheduling and lottery seeding, with some adjustments every few years.

I could some see modest changes each CBA like every few years, and I think there could be some moderately big changes with east vs. west game distribution* coming in addition to the usual lottery changes, but nothing drastic.

*We have finally reached peak regular season IMHO, even with the excitement this coming year with huge amounts of player movement, so shorter regular season would affect the portion of east vs. west games and such. I could also see playoffs being re-seeded so that some non-coastal east and west teams play each other before the finals, without going 1-16.
 
More creative than most of these ideas, but wouldn't happen, particularly the relegation parts.

We have generally had the Churchillian "worst system in the world, except for all the others" in terms of scheduling and lottery seeding, with some adjustments every few years.

I could some see modest changes each CBA like every few years, and I think there could be some moderately big changes with east vs. west game distribution* coming in addition to the usual lottery changes, but nothing drastic.

*We have finally reached peak regular season IMHO, even with the excitement this coming year with huge amounts of player movement, so shorter regular season would affect the portion of east vs. west games and such. I could also see playoffs being re-seeded so that some non-coastal east and west teams play each other before the finals, without going 1-16.

Just to clarify...
The relegation would only apply to the in season tournament tiers. Basically affects the prizes teams would play for on the Tuesday night games. The regular season would always hold the standard 30 NBA teams.

I agree 100% about peak regular season. I think after this upcoming season with 10ish teams having an actual chance the NBA will be very anti change.
 
I would actually like more international flavor to meaningless summer league.

I'd also like a international tourney for non playoff teams w a substantial bonus pool ($15M) to winning team. Maybe 8 lotto teams and 8 intl teams. Single game elimination. Maybe overseas for some flavor.

Something fun to do during that 1st round lol
 

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