Final Four vs. NBA Playoffs

As I am sitting here watching the end of the Celtics-Knicks game, I came to think which is better, NCAA Final Four or the NBA Playoffs? There are certainly some similarities between the two. The NBA Playoffs are essentially the Sweet 16 with the ideal matchups of 1 vs. 8 and so on. Obviously, there are some differences, so here we go.

The biggest difference between the NBA and the Final Four is the format. The NBA has a best of seven series all the way through. So, you could potentially play 28 games in the playoffs and only play four teams. That's a lot of wear and tear on your body, especially after an 82 game regular season. I think it's flat out stupid because it doesn't come close to simulated their regular season schedule. I get the fact the Finals should be best of seven but the first round shouldn't be. It's all about the cash-o-la.

The most amount of games you can play in the Final Four is seven. That's with the play-in game so it's normally six. The whole "everybody participates" at the D1 level while D3 gets 61 teams (D3 has more schools than D1 does) in their tournament based off the stupid formula the NCAA uses. Once again, must be the money (I know it's terrible but it's definitely funny). On top of that, in the NBA they basically play every other night. During the tournament teams will play two games in three days and then get five day rest in between sets of games.

Another huge difference is the fact that the Final Four is winner take all format. If you lose you are out. It's essentially survive and advance. That is why so many people love it. It's definitely another reason why there are so many upsets. If you put Morehead St against Louisville in a best of seven series, Louisville probably wins but they just needed their one game. If only we get could get Donnie Tyndale to dress like Morehead State's women's coach. This format gives the "little guy" a chance to an extent, though a #1 seed has never lost to a #16 seed.

The NBA's format gives the advantage to the higher seed aka the better team. They will potentially play four home games out of seven which is something you never with the Final Four (though the pod system tries to get them close to generate...you guessed it, more money). The #8 seed has only won the opening playoff series twice. It first happened when the Dikembe Mutombo led Denver Nuggets beat the Shawn Kemp led Seattle Supersonics. Here is one of the most iconic playoff clips ever. The other was when the Knicks beat the Heat when Allan Houston made the game winner in Miami. One thing about both of these series is that it was only a five game series instead of seven game series. The less games, odds play in favor of the "underdog."

One big similiarity between the two is that somebody is playing for money. In the Final Four, coaches are jockeying for a new contract extension and playing are jockeying for a higher draft slot. In the NBA, if you have a great playoff series it could lead to millions of dollars in contracts. HERE is an article from a few years back regarding coaches and what NCAA Tournament success means to their bank account. Just ask Brad Stevens and Shaka Smart how they stopped shopping at Marshall's and TJ Maxx.

Kemba Walker played himself into the lottery with his performance during the Final Four (his regular season was pretty darn good as well). Jeremy Lamb also played himself in a first round possibility. Dahntay Jones, formerly of the New York Knicks, got into the first round with his performance as Erick Dampier's sidekick at Mississippi State during their Final Four run. I'm sure I could find a bunch more but I've bored you guys enough.

Two perfect examples of playing themselves into a great contract for their performance in the playoffs are Jim McIlvaine and Jerome James. These two guys signed roughly $70 million worth of contracts and combined to average much less than 10 points and 10 boards over the course of them. Both terrible contracts that turned out to be terrible decisions by the each front office (Isiah Thomas was obviously involved with Jerome James). Don't get me wrong, I'd take 5 million for doing nothing (roughly my annual contract at Hamline) but these guys really didn't earn these contracts. Must be nice to be a seven footer.

Obviously the format behind the Final Four and the NBA Playoffs are very different but there are also some similarities that people seem to forget about. Most people would much rather watch the Final Four because the guys are playing for the name on the front of the jersey instead of the back but when push comes to shove, everyone is trying to reach the pinnacle and get that ring. The town idiot, the so-called sports genius, and the girl that picks teams based of their colors or mascots has interest in the Final Four, that certainly can't be said about the NBA Playoffs.

Not sure if you saw this but a great article and video from ESPN Outside the Lines. A must see for sure. ESPN isn't letting me post the video but check out the link, might bring a tear to your eye.