<Ul> <Li> 2007 : To address the criticisms of having each division champion guaranteed a top - three seed , regardless of record , the rules were changed such that the division winners are now only guaranteed a top - four seed . The team with the second - best record in the conference is now guaranteed the second seed , even if it finishes second in its own division . This ensures that the two best teams in the conference can not meet until the conference finals at the earliest . The previous system raised the prospect of the two best teams in the conference being seeded 1 and 4 if they play in the same division , thus forcing them to play each other in the second round ( given no upsets ) . <Ul> <Li> Note : In the example below , the East 's # 2 seed is not a division champion . </Li> </Ul> </Li> </Ul>
<Ul> <Li> 2007 : To address the criticisms of having each division champion guaranteed a top - three seed , regardless of record , the rules were changed such that the division winners are now only guaranteed a top - four seed . The team with the second - best record in the conference is now guaranteed the second seed , even if it finishes second in its own division . This ensures that the two best teams in the conference can not meet until the conference finals at the earliest . The previous system raised the prospect of the two best teams in the conference being seeded 1 and 4 if they play in the same division , thus forcing them to play each other in the second round ( given no upsets ) . <Ul> <Li> Note : In the example below , the East 's # 2 seed is not a division champion . </Li> </Ul> </Li> </Ul>
when did they change the nba finals format
when did they change the nba finals format
2007
2007