Sir Charles in Charge
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NBA Offseason Wrap Up, Part 2: A Wild LeBron-less Eastern Conference

By Daniel Schmahl

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 3: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics look on during the second half at TD Garden on January 3, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 3: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics look on during the second half at TD Garden on January 3, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 18: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks celebrates with teammates during the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on October 18, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bucks defeat the Celtics 108-100. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 18: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks celebrates with teammates during the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on October 18, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bucks defeat the Celtics 108-100. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) / 
TIER 2: ARE YOU SURE DIVISIONS STILL DON'T MATTER?

Bucks, Pacers

I’m sure. At this point the only reason for divisions existing is scheduling logistics and bragging rights. Each team has to play:

  • 4 games against 4 inner-division teams (4*4 = 16 games; 82-16 = 66 games leftover)
  • 4 games against 6 outer-division, inner-Conference teams (4*6 = 24 games; 66-24 = 42 games leftover)
  • 3 games against the remaining 4 outer-division, inner-Conference teams (3*4 = 12 games; 42-12 = 30 games leftover)
  • 2 games against 15 outer-Conference teams (2*15 = 30; 30-30 = 0 games leftover)

In a perfect world, there would be no such thing as divisions or Conferences. I would have one massive league with each team playing 74 games and keeping the same mid-October start, mid-to-late-June finish. If you cut the schedule any lower than 74, you start to mess with statistical record books and integrity of the game. But the extra rest from 8 less games in the same time frame makes up for any added travelling miles.

As for scheduling logistics, I may have figured it out. I’d love to get some feedback on this – like the NFL schedule, it gives tougher opponents to better teams, resulting in better quality games. It doesn’t incentivize long-term tanking, works under a 1-16 playoff format, and would make for some great drama. Imagine a TNT special with Vlade Divac on the clock trying to figure out who the Kings want to lose four times to instead of three next year. Seriously, give it a look.

As divisions go, the only two teams in this tier are from the Central, so I guess they do still matter here. Indiana and Milwaukee are similar in terms of talent, youth, coaching, and experience. They are above average and on the right path to success – the East’s second tier. I’m anxious to see who will emerge with this year’s Central division banner (bragging rights).

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