The NBA announced their plans to bring basketball back, so that got me thinking what if the NBA did a 30-team playoffs. I simulated the playoffs using nbagamesim.com and here are the results. The seeding was determined by the current NBA standings. Don’t forget to watch the NBA’s return on July 31!
The surprise team of this bracket is the five-seeded Kings, the Kings upset every team they played excluding the Celtics. The Kings barely beat the Nets without Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant in seven games. The Celtics swept the Kings in the Finals. Kemba Walker wins Finals MVP after scoring 38 points in game four. The teams that would choose this playoff setup over the NBA’s 22-team playoff would include, Warriors, Cavaliers, Timberwolves, Hawks, Pistons, Knicks, Bulls, Hornets. Those are all the teams that will not be playing in the real NBA playoffs, so naturally they would want the chance to play. Other teams that would prefer the 30-team playoffs include, Celtics, Kings, and Magic. The Celtics would prefer the 30-team playoffs because they have a better chance of winning the Finals. The Magic and the Kings would like this playoff structure because both teams have to win their play in games to even make the playoffs, with this structure the Kings and the Magic have a guaranteed spot.
I am very surprised about the Kings. I’m a fan, so I hope it comes true!