In the NBA, you have teams trying to lose games or whatever to try and get the right matchups. First off, I love the 7-10 playoff playin games. Such a good idea and it adds some real suspense to the season as the 7 and 8 seeds are fighting to move up to 6 so they don't get caught in that game.

I know ideas like this have bounced around...and here it is. But now about allowing the top seeds the chance to pick their opponents. So, the #1 seed gets to pick its first round opponent (after the play in games). Then, #2 gets to pick their opponent and then #3 and #4. The top 4 picks can ONLY pick out of the #5-8 teams. So, those top 4 picks are valuable because of home court advantage and it protects them from being selected by another top 4 team. It also can create some anger from the teams that are picked against the teams that picked them. It could really spice up the first round.

Second round is the same, the highest remaining pick gets to pick its next opponent and it is all fair game then. They can pick whoever they want out of the other 3 teams. This gives the top seed (and really the next top seeds) some added benefit.

You can make that initial selection all on TV with the Head Coach or even better, one of the players on tv announcing who they are picking to play. Have a representative of the other team be on tv to accept the challenge. You now have a real TV event. Imagine the #1 team Jazz picking the #5 team (instead of the #8 team) because they like that matchup better? Fantastic. Made for tv event having the player issue the pick. Sign me up.