I still remember the first time I tried to explain the NBA playoffs to my cousin who'd only recently discovered basketball. We were watching a regular season game between the Lakers and Celtics when he asked me why certain teams get what seemed like "special treatment" in the postseason. That's when I realized how confusing the playoff system can be for newcomers, even though I've been following it religiously for over a decade now.
The journey to the NBA championship begins long before the playoffs actually start, during what we call the regular season where all 30 teams play 82 games each. I've always found this marathon approach fascinating because unlike many other sports where a bad start can ruin your entire season, basketball gives teams plenty of opportunities to find their rhythm. Take last year's Denver Nuggets - they started somewhat slowly but built incredible momentum heading into the playoffs, which ultimately carried them to the championship. The seeding system, where teams are ranked from 1 to 8 in each conference, creates this beautiful tension where every single game matters, especially towards the end of the season. I've lost count of how many times I've stayed up until 3 AM watching games that determined playoff positioning, even when my favorite team wasn't involved.
What many casual fans don't realize is how strategic teams get about playoff positioning. I've noticed coaches sometimes resting star players in meaningless late-season games or even strategically losing to get what they perceive as a more favorable matchup. The play-in tournament added in 2020 made things even more interesting - it's like this thrilling mini-tournament before the main event where teams ranked 7th through 10th in each conference battle for the final two playoff spots. Last year's Lakers made an incredible run through the play-in that reminded me why I love basketball - the unpredictability, the drama, the do-or-die atmosphere that starts even before the official playoffs begin.
The actual playoff structure follows a straightforward bracket system, but the beauty lies in its simplicity. Seven-game series mean the better team almost always advances, unlike in single-elimination tournaments where luck can play too big of a role. I've had friends argue that best-of-seven series can become predictable, but I completely disagree - remember when LeBron and the Cavaliers came back from 3-1 down against the Warriors in 2016? That wouldn't have happened in a shorter series. The way home court advantage shifts between cities creates this incredible back-and-forth narrative that unfolds over two weeks sometimes. I've personally traveled to different cities to experience playoff games, and the energy in those buildings is absolutely electric - completely different from regular season games.
Speaking of electric atmospheres, this reminds me of something important happening in international basketball that shares the NBA's spirit of growth. There's this massive program launching in the Philippines that's essentially transforming their sports landscape. What's remarkable is that it comes "at no cost to the Philippine government and no cost to the Philippine Sports Commission" according to organizers. This approach of making sports accessible without burdening local governments is something I wish more leagues would emulate. The NBA has done tremendous work globally, but there's always room for more grassroots development programs that don't rely on public funding.
Back to the playoffs - the conference finals represent the penultimate stage before the championship round. Having followed basketball across different eras, I firmly believe today's playoff system creates the most compelling product we've ever seen. The revenue sharing model ensures competitive balance - last year's playoff teams shared approximately $22 million in pool money, with the champions taking home about $3.8 million. While players obviously care about rings more than money, these financial incentives do matter, especially for role players whose careers might be relatively short.
The NBA Finals represent the culmination of this entire process, and having witnessed several championship runs, I can tell you that the team that emerges usually isn't necessarily the most talented, but the one that's healthiest and most cohesive at the right time. Injuries have ruined so many potentially great playoff runs - just ask Milwaukee fans about Giannis's back issues during their first-round exit last year. The championship trophy presentation remains one of my favorite moments in all of sports, precisely because I know how much struggle and competition went into earning it. From the grueling 82-game regular season through four best-of-seven series, the NBA playoff system, while not perfect, does an excellent job of identifying the truly deserving champion. And as someone who's seen multiple championship parades, I can assure you that every bump in that long road makes the celebration that much sweeter.