The 2-3-2 format has to go

[Thebesteva]

I've been saying this since 2003, this fucking retarded format needs to go. This isn't about this years finals, its about the finals overall. The powers to be behind the NBA made this format for one reason only, to make the home team nearly unbeatable in the series. It makes it nearly impossible for the road team to have a legit chance to win. In essence, even if the road team wins one of the first two games which is very difficult in itself, they have to go on to win all 3 consecutive games at home or close out on the road.

I think if two teams are in the finals, the format should remain in the 2-2-1-1-1, there's no need for this ancient shit to remain.

[TDMVPDPOY]

dont forget the day breaks inbetween is wacked

[TE]

OP is correct, tbh

[JoeTait75]

At the very least they should standardize the format one way or another. 2-3-2 is wack, agree with the OP; going from 2-2-1-1-1 in the first three rounds to 2-3-2 in the Finals is even more wack.

[mudyez]

Agree, but if Spurs somehow won in 5, the uproar would be even bigger.

[Thread]

Only pussies & assholes blame scheduling.

The rank & file requested this format. If they did not want this they'd change it.

[TheRealCB]

Only pussies & assholes blame scheduling.

The rank & file requested this format. If they did not want this they'd change it.

Welcome back old friend,welcome back.

[ffadicted]

Sky is blue tbh

[Suspect]

your photoshopped sig has to go

[JamStone]

It's not a problem to me. The great teams will find a way to win. It's not like the road team never wins. It's happened three times in the past decade, 2004 Pistons, 2006 Heat, 2011 Mavs.

If it were a case where road teams were never able to win in the Finals, then maybe. But the great teams will find a way even if it is a disadvantage.

[Juggity]

2-3-2 is an artifact from the early 80s when the league was growing and Stern wanted to make it easier for the media to cover finals games.

The league doesn't need to cater to the media anymore. Travel is easier than ever, and even if it weren't, the media wouldn't just fail to cover the NBA finals as they might have 30 years ago. 2-2-1-1-1 makes so much more sense, and for consistency's sake makes for a better series. It must change.

[Rogue]

imho all games of the finals (no matter 4 games or 7 games or anything between them) should be played in a 3rd city, like the all-star game, and the ticket incomes be equally spread among those 3 teams (finals participants + that hosting team)

[Josepatches_]

In my opinion this format it's better for the team without home court advantage. So it's a matter of opinion.

In 2004 Detroit take advantage of this format, same Miami in 2006 or last year.

With 2-2-1-1-1 I'm sure Miami would be up 3-2 winning game 5 at home and it would be different the outcome.

[Josepatches_]

It's not a problem to me. The great teams will find a way to win. It's not like the road team never wins. It's happened three times in the past decade, 2004 Pistons, 2006 Heat, 2011 Mavs.

If it were a case where road teams were never able to win in the Finals, then maybe. But the great teams will find a way even if it is a disadvantage.

4 times. You forgot 2012 Heat

So it's 6-4 in 10 years.

[JamStone]

4 times. You forgot 2012 Heat

So it's 6-4 in 10 years.

Good catch. I didn't remember off the top that they started at OKC.

I don't think the format is an issue when it's clearly a lopsided Finals, because the series should end quickly in 4-5 games before the format can be a factor. I think it's more of an issue when the teams are closely and evenly matched where the format may make a difference. But if you think it favors the home team, well maybe they deserve that slight edge because they did have a better record.

But one thing I would like to point out that does favor the road team is that by game 5, when the series can be won by either team, if the series is clinched (especially by the road team), then the road team would end up having had more home games than the "home team." That's a decided edge to the road team. So not all things favor the home team in a 2-3-2 format.

[Jacob1983]

NHL has 2-2-1-1-1 for every round of the playoffs. The Stanley Cup playoffs are a million times more competitive than the NBA playoffs.

[whitemamba]

made a thread about this a while go, shit needs to end.

[Thebesteva]

made a thread about this a while go, shit needs to end.

Yup. It makes it way too weird for the road team

[Reck]

Agreed.

Even though this year, this shit of a format favored the Spurs.

[whitemamba]

Yup. It makes it way too weird for the road team

it should just be 2- 2- 1-1-1

[irishock]

Not as bad as the mlb division series... 2-3 format lol.

[baseline bum]

The 2-3-2 is here to stay since it makes it cheaper for international media to cover the Finals. Stern has visions of little African kids wearing the correct championship gear one day.

[Reck]

Not as bad as the mlb division series... 2-3 format lol.

:lol

Now that's a retarded format. lol

The best team often gets fucked because of it.

[Thebesteva]

2-3-2 is pretty dull as well. 3 home games in a row, gets really tedious.

[TheCultOfPersonality]

I have no problem with the 2-3-2 format.

At this stage the best team is going to win regardless of the format.