Post by guiltyparty on Mar 3, 2022 11:11:52 GMT -5
On his podcast, Bill Simmons reported/speculated that the NBA will be expanding into the Las Vegas and Seattle markets. (Story here)
If that happens, it would necessitate realignment to keep the conferences level. The simplest solution here would be to move the Timberwolves from the West's Northwest division, slot them into the East's Central Division, and put Seattle in the Northwest division; then repeat the process with Vegas taking Memphis' spot in the Southwest and Memphis moving into the Southeast. There are a couple problems though with this approach, firstly, it doesn't address some of the other alignment issues (Oklahoma City in the Northwest, for example). Also, owners in the East might not want a strong Memphis team moved into their conference (if the playoffs started today, Memphis' record would be good enough for the number one overall seed in the East).
Personally, what I think would make the most sense is moving away from the traditional East-West alignment and to a North-South Alignment. They could have a three division North conference with a Northeast division consisting of the two New York teams, Toronto, Boston, DC, and Philly. A five team North Central that would be identical to the current Eastern conference Central division. And a Northwest conference with Portland, Golden State, Sacramento, the new Seattle franchise, and Minnesota.
The South could have a Southeast with Memphis, Atlanta, Charlotte and the two Florida teams, a South Central with OKC, New Orleans, and the three Texas teams, and a Southwest with the two LA teams, Phoenix, Denver, Utah, and the new Vegas teams.
If that happens, it would necessitate realignment to keep the conferences level. The simplest solution here would be to move the Timberwolves from the West's Northwest division, slot them into the East's Central Division, and put Seattle in the Northwest division; then repeat the process with Vegas taking Memphis' spot in the Southwest and Memphis moving into the Southeast. There are a couple problems though with this approach, firstly, it doesn't address some of the other alignment issues (Oklahoma City in the Northwest, for example). Also, owners in the East might not want a strong Memphis team moved into their conference (if the playoffs started today, Memphis' record would be good enough for the number one overall seed in the East).
Personally, what I think would make the most sense is moving away from the traditional East-West alignment and to a North-South Alignment. They could have a three division North conference with a Northeast division consisting of the two New York teams, Toronto, Boston, DC, and Philly. A five team North Central that would be identical to the current Eastern conference Central division. And a Northwest conference with Portland, Golden State, Sacramento, the new Seattle franchise, and Minnesota.
The South could have a Southeast with Memphis, Atlanta, Charlotte and the two Florida teams, a South Central with OKC, New Orleans, and the three Texas teams, and a Southwest with the two LA teams, Phoenix, Denver, Utah, and the new Vegas teams.
