Keep the Play-In Tournament

Good teams shouldn’t be excluded from the playoffs just because of the conference they’re in.

May 18–21 2021 marks the debut of the NBA play-in tournament. The format is explained by Jack Malone here, but in short the 7tth and 8th-place teams in each conference are no longer guaranteed playoff spots, and the the 9th- and 10-place teams in each conference can play for the #8 seed..

I’ve heard three reasons why the play-in was created:

• Covid-19 created a shortened regular-season schedule (72 games instead of 82) and protocols associated with positive tests hurt teams during the season through no fault of their own, and therefore more teams deserve a chance at the playoffs.
• A shot at the playoffs curbs the practice of “tanking,” in which team management makes roster decisions to lose as many games as possible to improve their chances in the NBA draft lottery.
• The play-in would generate compelling late-season games, as good teams try to avoid the play-in while struggling teams try to earn a spot.

The play-in may be scrapped or modified after the season if the normal 82-game season is restored. But if we are to have 30 teams divided by two conferences, I like the play-in tournament and I hope it stays.

My reason comes down to this: good teams shouldn’t be excluded from the playoffs just because of the conference they’re in.