Hoops

Best of 3 Series...PLEASE!!

I posted this message under another heading but found this one to be the more appropriate as it confirms that people's opinion on the current format is not as suggested by the NBL:

After much discussion about finals format and the consensus being that it is not a fair system to have instant knockout for 3rd or 4th placed teams, I was curious to know how the NBL came about this format and if there was likely to be any changes to it. I sent an email to Marc Howard and this is his reply;

"Finals formats are always contentious. Some people like their team having a week off to rest up, whilst others think they get rusty. Some like single game series, some like best-of formats. However the current system was originally approved by a vote of all teams and then reaffirmed prior to this season. The teams that finish third and fourth still have a significant advantage over the teams below them. They need to win just one game, playing at home against a team that has played just a few days before, to advance to the Semi Finals."

This has led to more questions being asked as to who was the representative of each team that approved it. From listening to Phil Smyth after Friday's game, he seemed much against this format and even mentioned comments from Lindsay Gaze who did not seem to think highly of the format. A particular Sixers player also stated his disagreement to this format. I have not come across a single person who likes this current format, so I'm still curious to know who would approve it. There was no mention in the reply as to whether the format would change, but I guess they will follow the same procedure before the next season starts to get clubs approval.

Once again, while some of my questions were answered, even more questions were raised.

DJ, sure the teams knew the format before they entered the season. What was their other option if they didn't like the format? Not put a team together until the problem is corrected? Just because you know about it, it doesn't mean you accept it.

For all those making comments like "Sour grapes", remember this is a term that's come about only after the end of the game last night. The problem with the finals format has been debated for weeks if not months. As for Rick Burton, why didn't he come upstairs after the game. I'm sure there would have been many questions thrown at him. Postsie would have had a field day with him if planned earlier. It's nice to see his commitment by attendance at important games, but why does he duck for cover when the going gets rough and questions need to be answered.

Anonymous, what tonight showed is that we played badly on the night. All teams have bad nights and good nights. The fact that throughout the season we've had more good nights than bad ones, entitled us to a better chance at the finals. Its just unfortunate that tonight was one of those bad nights which brought a complete end to our chances.

What have we really achieved this season that we didn't achieve last season? We put together a much better team this season that kept in the top 4 all season. Last season, we barely scraped in the top 8. After all this good work throughout the season, we ended in the same position as last season and this an immediate exit after the first elimination game. One could very well argue, what the hell for.

The current format is a disgrace. It needs to reward teams for the work they do throughout the season and not knock them out on 1 off game.