I would LOVE to see an NBA play-in tournament – Jalen Rose | SportsCenter

Jalen Rose and David Jacoby join Sage Steele on SportsCenter to discuss Damian Lillard’s comments about not wanting to play if the Portland Trail Blazers do not have a chance to make the playoffs. They also discuss the possible formats that the NBA could adopt if the season returns.
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[sambeaumont]

I don’t understand why all teams aren’t forced to play - Don’t play don’t get paid.

Many teams were just hitting their stride or have players coming back from injury. They shouldn’t be further impacted as a result of having to play better teams than the original schedule had them playing.

I see this causing all sorts of problems for future CBA negotiations.

Players like Dame who have openly stated that they don’t want to play meaningless games - does this also apply for the last few games when you are eliminated from the playoffs in normal situations, to me this is unprofessional and quitting on your team big time.

[jaykelly]

I say teams play 5 more regular season games as a warm up. Then the idea of a 20 team tournament. Top 6 in each conference advance. Bottom 4 play 7 v 10/ 8 v 9 per conference in a winner take it or best of 3. Then playoffs resume as normal. If it’s a 20 team tournament every team other than the Twolves and Warriors have a shot of qualifying. So That’s entertaining for majority of fans.

[mouseinthehouse_]

The Dallas Mavericks are 10 games ahead of the 9 seed. They have no business forcing this team to have to go through a play in tournament for what they have already earned

[gurnawazgill]

The east is pretty much a lock. No need for a play-in tournament

[younghalal]

They should just have tournaments between Area Divisions

[Drillbitayler]

If they can't finish out the season, there shouldn't be playoffs. I get it, fans are sad, but ultimately it's just WAY too unfair at this point to do anything else. Those lockout year seasons were shortened BEFORE the season started, meaning everything was already planned out ahead of time. Teams knew what they needed to do. Also, strength of schedule is HUGE, and there is NO way to get around that without fully finishing it out. If you only do another 5 or 10 games, there is zero incentive for many teams. Meaning they will throw games (albeit, not all of them intentionally) which further screws things up. Also, even though I've been advocating for a 1-16 seed regardless of conference for a decade now (see Lebrons cakewalks to finals as to why), it's stupid to do this DURING a season. It must be a decision made at the beginning.

Cancel the season, or finish it fully. Don't compromise. The championship won't count in anyone's minds otherwise.

[henrywalker]

He’s speaking facts... Blazers were easily gonna make the playoffs with Nurk and Zach coming back, the Grizzlies had no chance. It’s not fair to just go right into the playoffs or play a few games for no reason

[gwong]

Can NBA please do a single elimination tournament from 8th to 15th seeds, winner of the tournament gets the 8th seed for playoff. Then get the playoff start either the convention conference or 1 to 16 seed positioning.

[otakurocklee]

Have a play-in tournament just for seeds 9 and 10. Not 7 and 8. 7th and 8th seeds should keep their playoff spots.

[davodhashimi]

And then kawhi will win finals mvp again back 2 back king kawhi is ready

[brayden]

I dont care what they decide to do I just want basketball!!!

[mrray]

I'm pretty sure Knicks fans will still watch the playoffs without their team included. They already been doing it for years

[sofiamelgoza]

JALEN ALWAYS GOT IT RIGHT, ! To da T! Just like his hairline

[MusicKePsMeSaiN]

Since we delayed the lottery, why not have the bottom 14 teams play for lottery positioning. The winner gets the first pick and the rest get seeded according to how they fare in the tournament. The higher you finish the better pick you get. I think that's a perfect scenario to incentivize them to come back and also get the fans interested. You're welcome!

[edmandell]

NBA trying to make it easy for Lebron to get a chip. No fans, less games, eliminate rounds, play in one location. Lebron won't have to be sedated now after a game. No pressure for Lebron.