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Sound Off: How Important is the #1 Seed, Really?

11:16 AM - April 16, 2014 by RaychelSnr

When it's all said and done, no one really cares if the NBA champions were a one seed or not. Champs are champs.

But leave no doubt, the fact that the Indiana Pacers have supplanted the defending kings as the top seed in the East isn't something to completely ignored. The NBA playoffs are typically back-and-forth contests where the slightest advantage can make a huge difference especially as we get closer to the Finals.

Of course, many are jumping to conclusions that Miami and Indiana will meet on the doorstep to the Finals from a weak contingency out East, but should assumptions hold true a single win or loss during an 82-game season may be the advantage the Pacers (or someone else?) needs to reach the top.

Sound Off: How much of an advantage is being a No. 1 seed in the NBA playoffs?

Game: NBAReader Score: 9/10 - Vote Now
Platform: SportsVotes for game: 2 - View All

Member Comments

# 1 EAGLESFAN10 @ 04/16/14 12:37 PM

I don't think its as big of an advantage like people make it seem

It's not like it Guranttees you a trip to the Finals

# 2 BringTheHeat @ 04/16/14 12:45 PM

Don't really think so, not in Miami's case for sure..if anything they seem to play better on the road in a hostile environment.

The truly great teams will find a way to get it done at home or on the road.

# 3 Majingir @ 04/16/14 01:20 PM

Only advantage of #1 seed is that 1 extra home game in 3rd round and possibly finals too. But that 1 extra game could make all the difference.

In terms of this year....It's hard to tell if you'd rather be 1 or 2 in either conference.

1 in west would mean Houston in 2nd round
2 in west would mean Clippers in 2nd round

1 and 2 in the east would mean Toronto/Chicago in 2nd round(for the Pacers,both teams aren't great news as both have split season series,for Heat,they'd rather face Raptors,but at same time,they've never faced this new Raptors team at the ACC yet,or a Raptors team with their backs against the wall,so even a series that looks like a 4-0 sweep could get interesting)

# 4 skywalkah @ 04/16/14 05:43 PM

Depends on the team, opposition. This year, a team like Indiana needs it more than Miami, at least with how the Eastern Conference presently stands..

Sent from my XT1056

# 5 z Revis @ 04/16/14 08:38 PM

I don't think it matters so much that we should put a ton of emphasis on it, but it's still important and something teams should strive for. Would you rather play a game 7 on the road or at home?

# 6 grodbetatted @ 04/16/14 09:27 PM

Depends on the team. Some teams don't let where they play dictate how they play... It's not a big of a deal as people make it seem

# 7 Gramps91 @ 04/17/14 10:01 AM

I think it matters in a way but maybe not all that much, but when you look at it the teams with the Home advantage do usually win the series.

# 8 NUH_UHHHHHHHHHHH @ 04/17/14 03:50 PM

it doesn't matter to the Spurs or Miami, they can win on the road easily.
only matters to teams in the first round that need the extra home game

# 9 superjames1992 @ 04/18/14 01:48 AM

History has proven that it isn't a huge deal, but I do think the overall #1 seed is somewhat significant as it could make the difference in the NBA Finals if the series is close (Spurs vs. Heat?), especially with the new 2-2-1-1-1 format.

# 10 DSportsLover @ 04/21/14 12:54 AM

The 1 Seed isn't that important because that does not mean you will be NBA Champions
Honestly I don't get why people seem to believe that if a team like the Heat would have got the 1st seed they would 3-peat

# 11 CaseIH @ 04/28/14 02:33 AM

I think its important, but it dont guarantee a trip to the finals, or a series win either. Especially in the West where every team in the playoffs are a tough team, I think HC advantage is more important this year in the West than it is the East this year. The Heat as a 2 seed actually drew the better draw than the Pacers did with the 1 seed. Thats why I told my wife early on they better be careful what they wish for. Atlanta has always been a tough matchup for the Pacers, and Atlanta would be giving the Heat trouble if they were playing them. Where as if the Pacers would have drawn the Bobcats they would probably be sitting at 3-0 right now like the Heat are. Bobcats were the worst team in the playoffs even though they did play well the last half of the season, they were the easiest team to draw.

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Sound Off: How Important is the #1 Seed, Really?