Should NBA get rid of the playin game?

[celticsclay]

What do people think? You see certain teams scrambling to try and make it (Kings, Pelicans) for what would almost assuredly not result in a real playoff series and no home games. If they do, they will knock out a very significantly better team for the first round. In the east it seems like a very solid to good team (Nets, Celtics or maybe Raptors who are actually quite solid) could be eliminated if they happen to be banged up for the one/two games. I have liked a lot of the innovations the league has made over the year, including the work to remove non basketball moves from the game. This one just seems like a cheap gimmick the league shouldn't have.

[Celtics2021]

I’m fine with it.  You wouldn’t see the Pels and Kings fighting to be in 10th but for it, and if you’ve got 11-12 teams in a conference trying to win games in March and April, and overall that’s better than a couple fewer teams in each conference caring towards the end.

[nickagneta]

Dump it. Always hated the idea.

[Who]

It's stupid. I hate it. 2/3rds of the team playing playoffs makes the regular season even more meaningless.

[Neurotic Guy]

I think year to year it may feel different depending on teams that are legitimately fighting to get in just as the battle for the 8th seed has sometimes been exciting and sometimes been non-existent.  I tend to think that a team that finishes 10th in a 15 team conference should just go home.  The Pelicans are 21-32 and would make the play-in if the season ended today -- I'm not really crazy about that.  Additionally, I can't help but wish the Lakers could be eliminated this year -by finishing 9th - but they won't be because of the play-in.

[PhoSita]

fewer games?

not more games?

blasphemy, the league will never allow it

[Goldstar88]

I didn’t like the idea of it, but have to admit that the play-in games were fun to watch.

[SHAQATTACK]

Yup axe it

[liam]

Being in the playin makes it even harder on those 7-10 teams. I guess it's more money...

[Birdman]

Hate it

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

Yes.

[CelticsWhat35]

It's stupid. I hate it. 2/3rds of the team playing playoffs makes the regular season even more meaningless.

I think it’s the opposite.  Under the old rules, there could be a 7-8 seed comfortably in that spot with not much to play for in the last week or two of the season.  Now, there’s a much bigger difference between the 6 and 7 seeds.  Also, it is always nice to see more “all or nothing” games.

[CFAN38]

I might be in the minority but I like it, it gives team who don’t want to tank but lack star power a reason to spend $$ and assets to be competitive rather then just tanking for the draft. I also like putting pressure on teams to win late in the season both to get into the play in and avoid the playin.

[SparzWizard]

It's just for money, for all the televised games they've lost back 2020 so they add a few more games for play-in tourneys and attracts the audience.

I think it's two or three more extra games for players to get injured. And then, get annihilated by the number 1 or 2 seed in the playoffs. Best to remove them, whoever makes it in the 7th and 8th seed after game number 82 are in, basically.

[Kuberski33]

Keep it. The last couple of teams in the playoffs have zero chance vs the top 2 seeds most seasons and then you have all the tanking we've had in the past. The Play In games at least create some interesting TV viewing ahead of the playoffs. Plus you could get a hot team vs a top seed which could spice up an otherwise boring 1st round matchup a little bit.

Under the old system you could argue that it was better to miss the playoffs vs being an 8th seed - higher draft pick vs the likelihood of getting swept.