The NBA play-off format is undoubtedly one of the most controversial topics among fans in recent years. Some people think that it adds to the suspense and excitement of the game and injects fresh blood into the league; Others believe that it violates the principle of fair competition and is mixed with too much chance. And at the center of this controversy is the familiar Lakers.
Today, the Lakers defeated the Pelicans 124-108 in the final round of the regular season to lock up the eighth spot in the West and will participate in the play-in tournament to compete for the seventh spot in the West. This is the third consecutive play-in tournament for the Lakers. Thankfully, the Lakers managed to make the playoffs on the first two occasions, only with a slight difference in the rankings. So in this play-off, can the Lakers complete the counterattack again and advance to the playoffs?
Let's start by recapping the Lakers' playoff journey in recent years.
In the 2020-21 season, the Lakers finished seventh in the West with a 42-30 record in the regular season and went straight to the play-in tournament. In the play-offs, the Lakers beat the Warriors and then had the last laugh against the Suns to make the playoffs as seventh. Although the Lakers were eventually swept out of the playoffs by the Suns, it was a good attempt to achieve a breakthrough based on the preset goals.
In the 2021-22 season, the Lakers had an even better regular season, finishing seventh in the West with a 49-33 record. This time they managed to advance through the play-offs again, winning 108-103 against the Pelicans and entering the playoffs as seventh. Unfortunately, they were eliminated by the Suns in the first round of the playoffs.
In the 2022-23 season, the Lakers fell into a slump in the regular season, and the frequent injuries seriously affected the team's performance. However, with James and Davis' excellent play in the late stages, the Lakers finally locked up the eighth place in the West with a record of 43 wins and 39 losses, and entered the play-in tournament again.
Judging by the situation in these three seasons, the Lakers seem to be no stranger to the play-in tournament. Although the way and position of each play-in game is slightly different, the Lakers were able to successfully win the play-in tournament and make the playoffs. This is also a reflection of the team's competitiveness and tenacious will in the playoffs.
Let's take another look at the views of Lakers big brother James. James has publicly stated that the man who invented the play-offs should be fired. He believes that this format violates the principle of fair play and brings uncertainty and unfairness to some teams with good records.
James' views also seem to have resonated with many fans. After all, it's only fair and reasonable to be able to qualify for the playoffs based on your regular season record alone. The play-offs introduce so much uncertainty that even a team's best performance in the regular season can suffer a heavy defeat in the play-offs and fail to make the playoffs. This is undoubtedly an injustice to those teams who have worked hard to play well.
However, from a league perspective, the play-off format does play a role. Not only does it increase the suspense of the game and give more teams a chance to play in the playoffs, but it also expands audience engagement and boosts the overall appeal of the league. It can be said that the play-off system balances the interests of the league to some extent.
Therefore, it seems difficult for us to make an absolute judgment about the play-off system. It has both pros and cons, as well as finding a balance between fairness and attractiveness. And for the Lakers, the play-in tournament undoubtedly created an opportunity for them to counterattack. Although, as James said, without the play-offs, the Lakers might have been able to finish straight into the top eight of the playoffs with their regular season results. But the fact that the Lakers have already proven themselves in the playoffs certainly adds confidence to their future performance in the playoffs.
Let's analyze the Lakers' playoff chances. In the battle against the Pelicans, the Lakers are undoubtedly the favorites. James and Davis were both able to play well in crunch time, and they also caused a lot of problems on the defensive end. In addition, the Lakers' rotation lineup also had a good performance late in the season, such as Westbrook and Hunter Hollis Jefferson, who made important contributions to the team in key moments.
It is precisely because of the depth of the Lakers' roster and the excellent performance of the two superstars that they have the advantage of time and place in the play-offs. If the Lakers can beat the Pelicans in the playoffs, then they will advance to the playoffs as seventh in the West. This is undoubtedly a good start for this former league brother.
Of course, the Lakers' return to the playoffs is undoubtedly bad news for other teams. This is especially true for teams that have a good regular season record but can only compete for a playoff spot through the play-offs. They will probably have more complaints and complaints about the play-off system.
But we also have to admit that the Lakers, as a legendary team in the league, their return has undoubtedly increased the attraction and attractiveness of the playoffs. The superstar showdown between James and Davis has also become a long-awaited drama for fans.
Overall, the play-offs have both pros and cons for the NBA. It brought more excitement and talk to the league, but it also sparked some controversy. As the "beneficiary" of this system, the Lakers have participated in the play-offs three times and reached the playoffs twice, which undoubtedly shows the resilience and strength of this team. Regardless of the playoff prospects, the Lakers will undoubtedly be a big attraction in the playoffs this season.