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Is this a good thing?

Many people say that it is. The Portland Trailblazers last year would've been the team most affected by this change. By winning the Northwest division, the Blazers were awarded the No. 4 seed, despite having the sixth best record in the Western Conference. Had they received the sixth seed, the playoff field would've looked dramatically different. The San Antonio Spurs would've faced the Memphis Grizzlies, rather than the Los Angeles Clippers. That means, the Golden State Warriors would've likely seen the Spurs in the second round, instead of Memphis.

So what does this mean for this year? For Jazz fans, it actually could affect the Northwest Division. Only the Oklahoma City Thunder are considered a playoff lock, in advance of the 2015 season. The Jazz are thought to be an upstart, and many think they have the goods to challenge for the No. 8 seed. But until they actually do this, the Northwest is considered one of the weaker divisions in the NBA.

In the Eastern Conference, the Atlantic Division could be shut out. The Boston Celtics made the playoffs last year, and could be a contender again. But if not them, who? The New York Knicks? The Brooklyn Nets? The Philadelphia 76ers? Indeed, that's a division that could be in trouble under the new rules.

Certainly, this will make things interesting. Now, teams with big leads in their divisions can no longer rest on their laurels in midseason, confident that a postseason berth is automatic. It no longer is. And that could make for improved play in the dog months of January and February.