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#1
If you read my threads you know I believe the League is influenced, not "fixed" but influenced, there's a big difference.
35 is the magic number, it was a revenue nightmare for the NBA last season and won't be repeated. Last 2017 playoffs there were only a total of 35 games in Rd 2, Conf Finals and Finals combined as Warriors and Cavs (+1) swept their way to the Finals. In a an 8 year average when viewers get to see 41 games they were treated to 7 less at 35. Think about that 7 game absence revenue lost for the League, won't happen again. We had a paltry 21 in 2nd Rd that avg's 22, we had an abysmal 9 in Con Finals that avg 12 (!!) and a weak 5 in Finals that avg 6.
If my theory is correct, we will simply see more games. The 1st Round is a good indicator as there were 45 this year as opposed to 42 last. We will most likely see 22+ in this 2nd Rd which will be interesting as the East has 2 series that will go 6 or 7 games (so 12-14) but the Refs will have to extend Ws and Hou series to 5 each at least (10) to get our 22. Watch for some key Ref crews of Foster/Brothers in a Utah and New Orleans home win.
The Conf Finals is where we make our hay as both series (76ers/Raps and Hou/Ws) will go 6 or 7 each to go from that revenue disaster of 9 last season to 13. Add in a 6 or 7 game Final and we hit the new magic # of 41.
All this simply means road teams will start winning to extend series. The run of home teams winning 37-11 is most likely over,(the last 25 is 22-3 in fav of home team).
My take on referees. The League had a great attrition this season of senior playoff refs losing both Crawford and McCutchen. That hole is being filled by the likes of Stafford, Davis and Capers to supplement old timers Mauer, Callahan and our favorite Foster. This is the first time these guys are the lead refs in the playoffs and I think we have to cap them as much as the games themselves.
Interesting note: at 7 games into the playoffs, LBJ at this point is usually one game (not series mind you) away from clinching 2nd rd and his trip to east Finals, now 7 games in he is just about to start the 2nd round, he will likely have to play 19 games to get to the Finals where he is used to playing only 14 or 15, that is a huge difference and in my opinion the reason Cavs don't make it out of the east this year, simply too many games against hungrier, younger competition and quite honestly is the better script as he bows out early and vows to come back stronger next season with a new team, better story over the offseason and creates intrigue. LBJ going to the Finals and losing to Ws or Hou doesn't make any sense as why would he leave Cleveland if he got so close, they need him to exit and re emerge.
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