An proposal for the NBA

A few years ago, the NBA changed the All-Star game's format from East/ West to one where the captains pick their teams. There has also been talk of changing the playoff format also. While I think that the NBA should keep the East/West format. The fact is that the East/ West format can seem arbitrary. In the past, the NFL's NFC one had Arizona and Dallas in the East with Atlanta, Carolina, St Louis, and New Orleans in the West. The AFC once had Indianapolis in the East and Baltimore in the Central. The NHL at one time named it's divisions and conferences after people. That lasted for years. So maybe the NBA needs some change. I propose one here.


I propose that the NBA tries two different attempts at conference realignment over ten seasons. That means five seasons for each. No team can change cities during this time, also no expansion teams. The first realignment, I suggest is North/ South format. The Atlantic, Central and Northwest would be in the North. The South would be Southeast, Southwest and the Pacific. After five years, the NBA should try a Coastal/ Mid America format.  With this realignment, Portland and Phoenix would need to switch divisions. The Coastal would be the Atlantic, Pacific with Portland and the Southeast. The Mid American would be the Southwest, Northwest with Phoenix and Central. This would shake things up. The NBA should based the All-Star game and the Playoffs on this. This could create and opening for new teams to win.



Link
Old NHL Standings- Hockey Reference.com
https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_1986_standings.html

Old NFL Standings- Pro Football Reference.com
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1996/index.htm

NBA changes All-Star Game. CBSsports.com
https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-changes-2018-all-star-game-format-eliminates-traditional-east-vs-west/

NBA considers change to playoff format Sportingnews.com
http://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/commissioner-adam-silver-nba-playoff-change-seeding/14a8chx046wki1l3si7ijp7099