NBA Takes End of Season Edition – Goodbye to an exciting season, Hello play-ins
Teresa Powe
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In this week’s NBA Takes, we say goodbye to a great regular season and hello to play-ins and playoffs.
The 2020–21 NBA season was one of the most exciting I’ve experienced in a long time. Teams that were on top last season are not so dominant this time around. Surprises, history made, and exciting new players. Let me explain.
His-to-ry
Russell Westbrook made NBA history last week when he passed Oscar (the Big O) Robertson for the most triple-doubles in NBA history. As it stands, Westbrook now has 182 triple-doubles.
Talk about ending the season on a high note. In April, Stephen Curry not only broke James Hardin’s record of 84 three-pointers made in a month; he crushed it. The Warriors guard sank 96 treys in 14 games. Curry could have broken 100 but sat out the second half of a back-to-back on April 2. In a five-game stretch from April 12-19, Steph had double-digit threes in four of five games.
Well, he may not have made history; Carmelo Anthony, with 27,370 points, now has the 10th spot on the NBA All-Time scoring list. He passed “The Big E” Elvin Hayes, who had the previous record (27,313).
Congratulations to all three!
Play-in Games
A play-in was used in the bubble last year. The NBA liked it so much, they decided to use it again this season but with a few tweaks. This season, the seventh through tenth place teams will play into the postseason.
In one game, seven plays eight, with the winner getting the seventh playoff seed. Nine plays ten, and the loser goes home. The winner, however, meets the loser of seven/eight for the honor of making the final playoff spot in each Conference.
Click here for a look at the bracket.