I'm going to start this knowing that I will get a bunch of hate from both Conferences. This is just the way I see things.
My theory:
The difference between the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference is the huge "middle class" in the East and the absence of a "middle class" in the West.
In the East:
There are three Top tier, or "Upper Class," teams in the East. Boston, Washington, and Philly don't encounter too many problems this season besides each other, and close games between the rest of the playoff teams. The records indicate this because of the drop off between the Pythons and the 7 teams within one game of each other. The Pythons are a top level team because their 2 losses were by a total of 3 points to "middle class" teams.
The "middle class" extends from Mid Michigan down to Rutgers. These are the teams that can give the top tier teams fits on any given day, but will have a very difficult time finding their way through the playoffs. They will all (more than likely) end the season 1 or 2 games above .500, but will (more than likely) get beat in the 1st and 2nd round. A trip to the Conference Finals and beyond will involve a lot of good game-planning and special occurrences.
I believe the lower class is self-explanatory.
In the West:
I believe the top tier teams in the West are #1-6. RI was a definite top tier team before the gutting (based on the win over ISB). Any one of us can win on any given day. In our "upper class," home field can be the only difference between a win and a loss. In my opinion, all of the top level teams in the West have an equal shot of going to the Finals.
If any team is a "middle class" team, it would be the Wackers. They have a decent record and will be the 5th or 6th seed, but the toughest games of their schedule have not been played. Still, this is one team in the West compared to 7 teams in the East. I think we can say the "middle class" is non-existent.
Below the Wackers, the teams are all below .500. They only pose a threat to the other teams in the bottom half. Therefore, they cannot be considered "middle class" teams. Next season, though, one or 2 of them will surely rise to the "upper class." We might even start to form a middle class.
Conclusion:
We always argue about who is the stronger Conference. The reality is, neither can be PROVEN to be the superior Conference. They are both different in the distribution of power.
The only thing I believe my analysis indicates is that a 16-0 or 15-1 record in the West is a more meaningful accomplishment than the same record in the East.
My theory:
The difference between the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference is the huge "middle class" in the East and the absence of a "middle class" in the West.
In the East:
There are three Top tier, or "Upper Class," teams in the East. Boston, Washington, and Philly don't encounter too many problems this season besides each other, and close games between the rest of the playoff teams. The records indicate this because of the drop off between the Pythons and the 7 teams within one game of each other. The Pythons are a top level team because their 2 losses were by a total of 3 points to "middle class" teams.
The "middle class" extends from Mid Michigan down to Rutgers. These are the teams that can give the top tier teams fits on any given day, but will have a very difficult time finding their way through the playoffs. They will all (more than likely) end the season 1 or 2 games above .500, but will (more than likely) get beat in the 1st and 2nd round. A trip to the Conference Finals and beyond will involve a lot of good game-planning and special occurrences.
I believe the lower class is self-explanatory.
In the West:
I believe the top tier teams in the West are #1-6. RI was a definite top tier team before the gutting (based on the win over ISB). Any one of us can win on any given day. In our "upper class," home field can be the only difference between a win and a loss. In my opinion, all of the top level teams in the West have an equal shot of going to the Finals.
If any team is a "middle class" team, it would be the Wackers. They have a decent record and will be the 5th or 6th seed, but the toughest games of their schedule have not been played. Still, this is one team in the West compared to 7 teams in the East. I think we can say the "middle class" is non-existent.
Below the Wackers, the teams are all below .500. They only pose a threat to the other teams in the bottom half. Therefore, they cannot be considered "middle class" teams. Next season, though, one or 2 of them will surely rise to the "upper class." We might even start to form a middle class.
Conclusion:
We always argue about who is the stronger Conference. The reality is, neither can be PROVEN to be the superior Conference. They are both different in the distribution of power.
The only thing I believe my analysis indicates is that a 16-0 or 15-1 record in the West is a more meaningful accomplishment than the same record in the East.
