The Current Reality, NBA Edition

Yesterday, we got word that the NBA's plan for restart has a potential Game 7 of The Finals being October 12 -- putting into real question the timetable for next season, even if the riots are quelled for the medium to long term.

This morning, sources are leaking the plan.

• Nine teams are eliminated from the league for the rest of the year.  Only 22 teams -- the 16 currently in the playoffs, and 6 within a few games of the #8 seed.
• The way the standings are, only nine teams will be brought from the Eastern Conference to Orlando, thirteen from the West.  (Only one non-playoff team East, five from the West)
• Then, once play resumes (scheduled for July 31st), each of the 22 teams will play eight games for seeding purposes.
• At that point, if the #8 seed in a conference is four or more games clear from the #9 seed, there is no further play to get to the eight teams in the conference.
• If the #9 seed is within four games, the #8 seed must defeat the #9 seed in one of two games (they get two chances, the #9 seed must win BOTH to supplant them) to make the playoffs.

The formal owners' vote is tomorrow, it is expected to pass.