How much damage could Suns do if team returns?
It’s looking more and more like Phoenix will get a chance to play its way into the postseason.
The Suns are part of the NBA’s 22-team format proposal to resume the 2019-20 season with a July 31 target date in Orlando, according to multiple reports.
ESPN is reporting Phoenix will join the top 16 teams in the two conferences, along with Portland, Sacramento, New Orleans, San Antonio and Washington.
The Suns (26-39) haven’t made the playoffs since 2010, but they could make a run towards ending that drought with a completely healthy roster for the first time.
They’re far from being a championship contender. Their record is proof of that, but with this being an unprecedented situation, the Suns may be a surprise team.
However, Phoenix’s record against the other 21 teams in this proposal is 16-34.
❚ vs. Milwaukee (1-1)
❚ vs. Los Angeles Lakers (0-3)
❚ vs. Toronto (0-2)
❚ vs. Los Angeles Clippers (1-2) ❚ vs. Boston (1-1)
❚ vs. Denver (0-4)
❚ vs. Utah (1-1)
❚ vs. Miami (0-1)
❚ vs. Oklahoma City (0-2)
❚ vs. Houston (1-2)
❚ vs. Dallas (1-1)
❚ vs. Indiana (0-1)
❚ vs. Philadelphia (1-0)
❚ vs. Memphis (1-3)
❚ vs. Brooklyn (1-1)
❚ vs. Orlando (1-1)
vs. Portland (2-2)
❚ vs. New Orleans (1-1)
❚ vs. Sacramento (2-2)
❚ vs. San Antonio (1-2)
❚ vs. Washington (0-1)
The league’s Board of Governors are scheduled to vote on this proposal Thursday needing three-fourths of them — 23 of the 30 owners — to vote in favor.
The NBA season has been on hold since March 11 after Utah Jazz all-star Rudy Gobert tested positive for coronavirus.
The 22 teams reportedly would play eight games for seeding purposes.
When that is finished, there might be a play-in tournament to determine the final seeds, ESPN reported.
If the No. 9 seed is more than four games behind, the No. 8 seed will make the playoffs. If the No. 9 seed is less than four games back, there will be a play-in tournament.
With five of the six additional teams coming out of the West, it’ll be interesting to see how this proposal groups the teams to come up with these seedings. This proposal appears to rule out the 1 through 16 seedings idea.
The other three proposals are as follows:
❚ 16 teams directly to playoffs.
❚ 20 teams group/stage play.
❚ 30 teams finish a shortened 72game regular season, with play-in tournament for final seeding.