Since Adam Silver's arrival as the NBA commissioner, the NBA has seen vast improvements in regards to allowing players to speak out against social issues, attempts to eliminate back-to-back games in order to keep players fresh and healthy, and holding players, coaches, and team employees responsible for their actions.

Now it looks like Silver and company might have their largest modification to the traditional NBA system that we've ever seen. Silver announced that the NBA could possibly eliminate the entire Western/Eastern Conferences in order to make sure that the sixteen best teams have the opportunity to get into the playoffs. For instance, this is what the NBA Playoffs would look like right now if they started today:

(1) Houston – (16) Miami
(2) Golden State – (15) Philadelphia
(3) Toronto – (14) New Orleans
(4) Boston – (13) Portland
(5) Cleveland – (12) Denver
(6) San Antonio – (11) Oklahoma City
(7) Minnesota – (10) Milwaukee
(8) Washington – (9) Indiana

Traditionally, this isn't something NBA fans aren't used to but it would allow for the best teams to be matched up without the barrier of having to play conference-only teams. Which also would eliminate players from dominating their division year in and year out, making playoff contention extremely predictable.

While it doesn't seem practical to have first-round playoff series conduct cross-country travel it does allow for more rest days for guys to stay healthy. Silver also is considering have the higher seed of the two teams select whether they choose to play a 2-2-1-1-1 series or a 2-3-2 as well.

This is what Adam Silver had to say about the restructuring of the NBA Playoff standings, “That is something that’s gotten serious attention — not just recently, but over the last few years at the league office... You also would like to have a format where your two best teams are ultimately going to meet in the Finals... You could have a situation where the top two teams in the league are meeting in the conference finals or somewhere else. So we’re going to continue to look at that. It’s still my hope that we’re going to figure out ways.”

Silver also spoke on social issues, legalized sports gambling, as well as the one and done rule but, with so much detail provided in regards to playoff modification, this can become a reality sooner than later. Let us know if you think this is a good idea coming Silver and company and if you think the NBA Playoffs need to be restructured in the comments.

Source: barstoolsports.com