The NBA is gradually working to enhance competition among players by expanding the league with more teams. This expansion is expected to occur within the next two to three years. Moreover, Las Vegas and Seattle are the two most anticipated locations for new teams. However, the expansion will require changes within the league, raising concerns among executives in the Western Conference.
In a recent interview with ESPN, one general manager from the Western Conference suggested that the NBA could eliminate the conference system altogether and allow the top 16 teams to qualify for the playoffs once the league expands to 32 teams.
“Instead of dealing with that thorny competition, West executives told ESPN they believe both issues can be corrected by dropping conferences altogether and seeding teams 1 through 16 regardless of geography. The concept has been raised before. But expansion, the thinking goes, would create a reason to take a fresh look,” Western Conference Executives said to Brian Windhorst of ESPN.
Western Conference executives believe the NBA could eliminate conferences and have the top 16 teams make the playoffs when the league expands to 32 teams, per @WindhorstESPN
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 22, 2024
“Instead of dealing with that thorny competition, West executives told ESPN they believe both issues can… pic.twitter.com/Oe9yVyaRXd
As Seattle and Las Vegas emerge as leading candidates for potential expansion, the anticipation surrounding the eventual decision is palpable.
2025 NBA All-Star Game: Innovative New Format Revealed
The NBA experienced a notable decline in viewership at the onset of the 2024-25 season. In response, the league aims to enhance the viewing experience by delivering more thrilling matchups for its fans. Recently, the NBA made a strategic decision that surprised basketball enthusiasts by implementing substantial modifications to the All-Star Games.
As reported by ESPN analyst Shams Charania, the NBA will now introduce a series of short All-Star games rather than hosting a single exhibition. Furthermore, the new tournament-style format will comprise three All-Star teams, each composed of eight players.
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The competition will feature two semifinal games, each set to a maximum of 40 points. The victorious teams will then qualify for the final matchup, with a target of 25 points.
Also Read: ESPN Drops A Giant Truth Bomb About Rehiring Stephen A. Smith On ‘Inside the NBA’
