Why does the NBA have divisions?

[jim]

I'm really paying attention to the NBA now, and it just dawned on me that the way they have their playoffs setup and schedules that I don't understand the purpose of the division. Looks like you play teams out of your conference 2x per year, and 3-4x per year for teams in your conference. But you don't play teams in your division more than 4x per year, and with 8 teams going to the playoffs all they do is lump everyone from the conference together.

So what purpose do the Divisions serve?

[MrCrowesGarden]

I'm really paying attention to the NBA now, and it just dawned on me that the way they have their playoffs setup and schedules that I don't understand the purpose of the division. Looks like you play teams out of your conference 2x per year, and 3-4x per year for teams in your conference. But you don't play teams in your division more than 4x per year, and with 8 teams going to the playoffs all they do is lump everyone from the conference together.

So what purpose do the Divisions serve?

Playoff seeding. I think division winners get the top three spots (although I do remember Mark Cuban lobbying for the two teams with the best records to get the 1 and 2 seeds regardless of division).

[Popeye_Card]

I assume division winners automatically get a playoff spot.

But when over half the teams in the NBA make the playoffs, that's not really too hard, is it?

The NFL divisions annoy me too. 8 divisions with only 4 teams in each, and a lot of times teams are only seperated by a couple of games, because they only play 16. I think it's dumb.

They could do away with divisions in the NHL too. Just have two conferences, and the top 8 teams in each make the playoffs.

--P--

[jim]

I assume division winners automatically get a playoff spot.

But when over half the teams in the NBA make the playoffs, that's not really too hard, is it?

The NFL divisions annoy me too. 8 divisions with only 4 teams in each, and a lot of times teams are only seperated by a couple of games, because they only play 16. I think it's dumb.

They could do away with divisions in the NHL too. Just have two conferences, and the top 8 teams in each make the playoffs.

--P--

Exactly. I guess it's possible but it would be pretty rare for a division winner to not be in the top 8.

[Dillagii]

They have divisions to sell merchandise of division champs.

[Popeye_Card]

Exactly. I guess it's possible but it would be pretty rare for a division winner to not be in the top 8.

If they can't make the top 8, then they probably shouldn't be given a chance to win a championship.

--P--

[Popeye_Card]

They have divisions to sell merchandise of division champs.

Which brings up a good point--who the heck buys division champ stuff?

--P--

[MrCrowesGarden]

They have divisions to sell merchandise of division champs.

Which brings up a good point--who the heck buys division champ stuff?

--P--

I think I have a Cardinals Central Division champs shirt from 1996 because I didn't really expect the team to be good again. I suppose if I were a Pirates fan, I'd probably buy one if they won the division.

[lukethedrifter]

They all play more games within to maintain rivalries, don't they?

I remember some years back when hockey essentially did away with the divisions completely and that didn't work out too well.


Speaking of divisions, why is there no uproar about having 6 teams in the NL Central and 4 in the AL West? Seriously changes your odds for winning the division.

[obucard]

They all play more games within to maintain rivalries, don't they?

I remember some years back when hockey essentially did away with the divisions completely and that didn't work out too well.


Speaking of divisions, why is there no uproar about having 6 teams in the NL Central and 4 in the AL West? Seriously changes your odds for winning the division.

Because 2 of those NL Central teams are the Reds and Pirates?