East/West Balance Restored?

[DeadlyDynasty]

On the other hand, ATL and MIA only play 2 times against 7 of the 8 worst teams in the league, but they have to play three or more versus 3 of the 4 best teams in the league.

Things are the opposite for POR, HOU, etc. - they play more times versus terrible teams and less times versus the elite.

hmmm...let's try to think from a rational point of view here: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/standings

Miami and Atlanta both have winning eastern conference records. Atlanta is 10-11 vs. the West while Miami is 13-13. Your argument reeks of bull

[mabrignani]

not balanced at all, take a look at how many teams in the east with under .500 records make the playoffs as compared to the west and that will give you your answer

[balli]

This thread will be ironic if ATL holds onto their current lead over NOH.

[crc21209]

The West is stronger from top to bottom. In the West the #1 thru 8 seeds will win at least 40-45 games. In the East only the Cavs, Celtics, and Magic are the cream of the crop. The rest of the East is ok, but the East's 4-8 seeds got nothing on the West's 4-8 seeds.

[boutons_]

look at the standings, WC seeds 2-8 separated by 3 games,

EC separation between 3 and 4 seed is 12 games!!

7,8 EC seeds are under .500, while ALL 8 WC seeds are over .600.

Balance? not even close.

[ploto]

Cleveland: West 19-4 (82.7%); East 30-9 (76.9%)
Boston: West 13-9 (59%); East 33-6 (84.6%)
Orlando: West 20-7 (74.1%); East 26-10 (72.2%)

Of the top 3 teams in the East, Cleveland and Orlando have better records against the West than against the East.

Los Angeles: East 17-6 (73.9%); West 33-7 (82.5%)
San Antonio: East 15-10 (60.0%); West 27-10 (73.0%)
Houston: East 15-12 (55.6%); West 27-11 (71.1%)
Utah: East 12-12 (50%); West 28-11 (71.8%)

All four top teams in the West have better records against the West than against the East.