NBA IS BACK!!!!!!!!!!!

The NBA is coming back this summer starting July 31^st in Orlando Florida. On Friday June 5^th the NBA Players Association (NBAPA) approved the NBA’s Board of Governor’s proposal of resuming the season starting July 31^st.  With the season scheduled to resume there are some key things that you should know.  It will consist of just 22 of the 30 NBA teams. These team include the 16 playoff teams that were in position when the league initially shutdown back on March 11^th. The additional 6 teams are the Washington Wizards, Portland Trailblazers, New Orleans Pelicans, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, and the Phoenix Suns.  The Washington Wizards are the only team from the Eastern Conference.  There will be 8 regular season games played prior to the playoffs starting in Mid-August.

 Each of the 6 teams outside of the playoffs are within 6 games of the 8^th and final playoff spot in each conference.  This is crucial because if the 9^th seeded team after the conclusion of the 8 regular season games are within 4 games of the 8^th seeded team, then the two teams participate in a play in a game to determine who goes to the playoffs. If this becomes the case, then the 9^th seed will have to win two games against he 8^th seed to make the playoffs.  The 8^th seed would just have to win once to secure their playoff spot.  For example, the Memphis Grizzles are currently the 8^th seed and the Portland Trailblazers are the 9^th seed in the Western Conference and are 4 games back of the Grizzles.  If everything remains status quo then to make the playoffs the Grizzles will have to win one game against the Trailblazers.  For the Trailblazers to get into the playoffs they would have to win two games against the Grizzles.

 The 6 extra teams were added because the playoff teams must get back into game shape, so you need competition to against prior to jumping into the playoffs.  Also, it helps in getting teams some of the local TV revenue that was lost due to the league being shutdown. In my opinion the potential play in game element was added for two reasons Zion Williamson and Damian Lillard.  On May 26^th in an interview with Yahoo Sports, Lillard, Portland Trailblazers ‘Point Guard, expressed that he would not be playing in any final regular season games if there was no legitimate chance the Trailblazers could make the playoffs.  He is a star player in the league, and you cannot have your stars voicing that they plan to sit out games just because the team likely will not make the playoffs.  More Importantly than what Lillard said the NBA wants Zion and the Pelicans in the playoffs. So much so that when  sports shows rundown the additional 6 teams they say Zion and the Pelicans instead of just saying the team name. I understand why Zion would bring additional eyes to TV.  Also, just the storyline of the Lakers vs Pelicans in the first round would be must see TV.

 Overall, I love the idea of the potential play in game element added to this unique NBA season for the playoffs.  I will say that if you are a fan of the Orlando Magic or the Memphis Grizzlies the two teams who are currently the 8^th seeds in the Eastern and Western Conferences respectively; I  understand your potential frustration.  This is because they could hold on to the 8^th seed but due to the fact that the 9^th seeded team is within 4 games they could miss out on the playoffs.  I predict we will see a play game for both conferences with the Washington Wizards vs the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference.  For the Western Conference with there being only 8 games I’ll rely on experience and go with the Portland Trailblazers vs the Memphis Grizzlies.  I have both 9^th seeds upsetting the current 8^th seeds and making the playoffs.