For the first time in over 3 decades, the NBA could be returning back to the historical 2-2-1-1-1 format. Earlier today, the NBA’s Competition Committee voted unanimously in favor of a major change to the modern day NBA Finals schedule of the 2-3-2 format.
The new system could be implemented as early as next year’s NBA Finals for 2014, pending an owners vote to finalize the decision in the coming days.
Since 1985, the NBA adopted the 2-3-2 format due to cross-country travels every year between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics; causing strain on players, media and fans going to every game. Now that the NBA uses charter planes from Private Jet Services in comparison to flying commercial, the once impossible and strenuous schedule now seems possible. This new format will now even out the playing field, giving the lower seeded opponents in the Finals a better shot of pulling an upset against a favorite.
Last year, the Miami Heat overcame a 3-2 Finals deficit to win their second consecutive title, becoming the fourth team in 29 years to accomplish the come-from-behind win. With a lower seed now having the possibility of playing game 6 on its home floor, the league and TV partners will use this newest tactic to build buzz for their title games; for more added pressure on the “home team” to handle business.
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