New NBL Finals Format

[Portmanteau]

The NBL are introducing a new finals format for the 2003-04 season, which involves a Final 8(!?) who will particpate in 4 sudden death games, two best-of-3 series and the Finals being best-of-5.

Hypothetically speaking, let's say the ladder ends up as such:

Adelaide
New Zealand
Melbourne
Brisbane
Townsville
Sydney
West Sydney
Wollongong

The first round of the finals involving these sudden-death match-ups:

Townsville (5) v Wollongong (8)
Sydney (6) v West Sydney (7)

For the purpose of this we'll assume that the highest ranked teams continue... with the sudden-death second round looking like this:

Brisbane (4) v Townsville (5)
Melbourne (3) v Sydney (6)

Brisbane and Melbourne proceed to the semi-finals, which is a best-of-3 affair:

Adelaide (1) v Brisbane (4)
New Zealand (2) v Melbourne (3)

Now in a best-of-5 series...

Adelaide (1) v New Zealand (2)

Thoughts? Comments? I like the sudden death part, I like the emphasis on a big-time finals series. I think the fact 75% of the league will be participating in the finals is a concern, but it should make for an exciting end to the season, as the teams are reasonably even this year, so I'd presume the ladder will be.

 

[Blues4Life]

It's a big upgrade on the previous system IMO. Not too sure on the top 8 though, you'd think the competition would be too small for a top 8 system, though my team will probably be around that mark so I doubt I'll be complaining come finals time.

Good upgrade overall.

 

[Dingster]

Must admit to losing contact with the NBL not getting to see any games even on video. Sounds like the NBL are trying to generate fan interest and put some bums on seats. How has attendance been across the board?

I agree with Guey`s comment both in the concern of rewarding mediocre teams and the excitement of sudden death. Is it a concern that the top two teams don`t get a game until the third round? Overall the sudden death excitement wins me over.

 

[ant]

Overall, it should be an improvement, generating more interest across the nation, which is a key objective of the new NBL commissioner.

But talk about rewarding mediocrity! Two thirds of the teams making the finals is a bit much in my opinion, however, it will help my Sixers, so maybe I shouldn't complain.

 

[llosis]

Only one comment about it Guey.

I can't believe you don't have Perth in the top 8

 

[mattyc2422]

I take much more of an interest in the NBA than the NBL, but the NBL has the potential to be one of the best and most widely followed organised leagues particularly in places such as Adelaide, Sydney et al.

The powers at be over the next few years will be important in developing the NBL system.

Introducing 2 new teams is an brave move. Let's hope that pays off.

 

[morpheus]

I'm not sure I like the new system tho......, they should of had it like the nba has it-

1st vs 8th, 2nd vs 7th, 3rd vs 6th & 4th vs 5th then.......

But I do like the fact that the finals will be played as a best of 5 series

 

[thewhippersnapper]

I think that its too complicated.

It should be done like the AFL Finals:

1st v 4th
2nd v 3rd

5th v 8th
6th v 7th

Top 4 get double chances and also home finals 1st up.