The play-in is supposed to create extra excitement, however...

[WhiteKyrie]

So what youre saying is, whoever came up with the play-in needs to be fired?

Bingo

[tpols]

The play in was created because of the covid scam with Portland vs Memphis. Either way the past 2 years the 7/8 seeds have both made it. The system is designed well to make it much harder for 9 or 10 seeds to make it while still giving them a chance.

[Carbine]

Let's give everybody a chance! Participation trophy ass era. It's soft as ****

[Charlie Sheen]

Let's give everybody a chance! Participation trophy ass era. It's soft as ****

what an overreaction

[Nowoco]

The play-in is trash. You give 9 and 10 seeds a chance to make the playoffs they don't deserve and you give the 7 and 8 seeds a chance to miss out on the playoffs, as well as 1-2 extra games they don't deserve. It means there's a delay to the final seedings so the 1-2 seeds have less time to prepare plus we get situations like this year with the Lakers where it was to their advantage to throw the first play-in game.

It was another stupid idea dreamt up by that idiot Silver, just like the in season tournament. Who knows what cockamamie idea he'll force on us next.

[tpols]

The play-in is trash. You give 9 and 10 seeds a chance to make the playoffs they don't deserve and you give the 7 and 8 seeds a chance to miss out on the playoffs, as well as 1-2 extra games they don't deserve. It means there's a delay to the final seedings so the 1-2 seeds have less time to prepare plus we get situations like this year with the Lakers where it was to their advantage to throw the first play-in game.

It was another stupid idea dreamt up by that idiot Silver, just like the in season tournament. Who knows what cockamamie idea he'll force on us next.

Let's give everybody a chance! Participation trophy ass era. It's soft as ****

The Kings and Warriors were both 46-36. Not exactly trash. That's easily enough to make the playoffs in most years.

The 1986 Chicago Bulls made the playoffs at 30-52. Which is ****ing unbelievable. Don't talk about participation trophies nowadays.

[SouBeachTalents]

I understand it’s a flawed concept, and I’m not saying it’s the perfect solution, but if they’re going to do the play-in, there should at least be a winning record requirement for the 9th or 10th seeds to make it.

I understand this penalizes teams from the superior conference by making them play an extra 1-2 games, but I don’t have a problem with teams 10 games over .500 like the Kings & Dubs having a chance to earn their way into the playoffs. Trash like the Bulls & Hawks have no business having a shot at making the playoffs

[Duffy Pratt]

The play-in is trash. You give 9 and 10 seeds a chance to make the playoffs they don't deserve and you give the 7 and 8 seeds a chance to miss out on the playoffs, as well as 1-2 extra games they don't deserve. It means there's a delay to the final seedings so the 1-2 seeds have less time to prepare plus we get situations like this year with the Lakers where it was to their advantage to throw the first play-in game.

It was another stupid idea dreamt up by that idiot Silver, just like the in season tournament. Who knows what cockamamie idea he'll force on us next.

First off, with a play-in tournament as part of the rules, the 7th and 8th seed teams don’t deserve to be in the playoffs unless they both get through the play-in.

Second, the play-in tournament is there as a slight incentive for teams not to tank. Thus, there will be a handful of slightly more competitive regular season games.

Third, it provides some single elimination games, which often provide some interest, even when they are between teams that ultimately stand little chance.

Fourth, it provides some basketball during a period where the contending teams have some time to prepare and rest up for their second season. Simply taking those five days off would likely drain away some enthusiasm.

All of the above are basically good things for the league. I’d be perfectly happy with them going to another format, but I don’t think there’s anything magical about the 16 team bracket with four best of seven series.

[RRR3]

The play-in is trash. You give 9 and 10 seeds a chance to make the playoffs they don't deserve and you give the 7 and 8 seeds a chance to miss out on the playoffs, as well as 1-2 extra games they don't deserve. It means there's a delay to the final seedings so the 1-2 seeds have less time to prepare plus we get situations like this year with the Lakers where it was to their advantage to throw the first play-in game.

It was another stupid idea dreamt up by that idiot Silver, just like the in season tournament. Who knows what cockamamie idea he'll force on us next.