The Los Angeles Lakers legend Jerry West would support a ‘conference-less’ playoff re-seeding upon season resumption. The Logo, who is an executive board member for the Clippers, said the format that could lead to the Lakers – Clippers final would be ‘the ultimate competition’.
Though he admits that the Eastern Conference teams might not favor such change. For example, the Milwaukee Bucks, who have the best record in the entire league, would have the Clippers in their path to the NBA Finals.
Via Melissa Rohlin of Sports Illustrated:
“For me, that would be the ultimate competition,” West said on The Dan Patrick Show. “I think in Los Angeles, they have so many Laker fans. My goodness. The enormous success that the Lakers have had over the years, they are a really good team now, two of the best players we’ve seen in a long time on one team. I think it would be incredible for the people in the west. I’m not sure how that would go over for the teams back east who want to see their respective teams get an opportunity to play.”
Jerry West
Here is what the playoffs would look if the teams are seeded 1-16 disregarding conferences, per Luke Adams of Hoops Rumors:
First side of bracket:
- Bucks (1) vs. Magic (16)
- Heat (8) vs. Thunder (9)
- Clippers (4) vs. Mavericks (13)
- Celtics (5) vs. Sixers (12)
Second side of bracket:
- Lakers (2) vs. Nets (15)
- Jazz (7) vs. Rockets (10)
- Raptors (3) vs. Grizzlies (14)
- Nuggets (6) vs. Pacers (11)
