The NBA playoffs need to change

The NBA playoffs need help because the NBA regular season has lost its relevance. Teams compromise the integrity of the system by sitting healthy players and losing games purposefully.

There should be an incentive for teams to put their best players on the court for every game of the season.

This year, the Phoenix Suns captured the 2nd seed in the West, which in theory should make their path to the championship easier. However, due to the faulty system, the Phoenix Suns are facing the most difficult teams the NBA has to offer.

The Phoenix Suns and other top teams should pick their opponent in the first round of the NBA playoffs.

This change would make the regular season more competitive!

Phoenix Suns playoff change, reason No. 1: To create favorable first-round matchups

After battling the entire season, the Phoenix Suns captured the 2nd seed in a tough Western Conference.

The Phoenix Suns were rewarded with an unfortunate first-round matchup against the seventh seed Los Angeles Lakers, a team featuring two of the best players in the NBA.

The Los Angeles Lakers were hindered by injuries all season, but they are a formidable opponent now that they are healthy. The Los Angeles Lakers are better than a seventh seed and are contenders to win the NBA title.

Phoenix Suns playoff change, reason #2: To discourage tanking

Tanking generally refers to losing games to boost draft lottery odds.  This year, however, teams have tanked to manipulate the NBA playoffs bracket.

For example, the Los Angeles Clippers and Denver Nuggets intentionally lost games at the end of the regular season to avoid the Los Angeles Lakers. This allowed them to drop in the standings, which slotted them on the weaker side of the bracket.

Imagine the intensity of the final regular-season games if teams were trying to win the opportunity to select their playoff opponents rather than to work the bracket.

Allowing top-seeded teams to choose their first-round matchup would make the end of the season more competitive as teams jostle for positioning.

Phoenix Suns playoff change, reason #3: To make it personal

If the Phoenix Suns had the opportunity to choose their first-round opponents, they would not have chosen the Lakers.  A likely selection would have been the Portland Trail Blazers.

Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers wouldn’t take kindly to being seen as an “easy” win, which would escalate the intensity of the matchup and make for great basketball.

Top-seeded teams should choose their playoff opponents to create excitement for fans.