I keep cringing when people bring up that the East might be better this year, because their four best teams > the West's four best teams. That's such a bs evaluation of the conference landscape. It's not even funny.
The East is 52-75 (.409) vs. the West, which would be the worst winning percentage
since five years. Five East teams have a winning record vs. the West. Only three West teams have a losing record vs. the East. The West's 14th-seed Jazz is five games behind the 1st seed. The East's 14th seed Bulls is five games behind the ninth seed. The 8th seed in the East, Orlando, has a negative point differential at -2.3. The worst point differential in the West outside the Suns is Spurs at -2.9.
It's not even close. If anything, the East got more top-heavy, but the conference as a whole is still utter trash. Must get rid of conferences asap to restore a little bit of balance. Imagine the Mavs playing in the East. We would be
coasting to a playoff spot with an outside shot at home court advantage. This is embarrassing...