Latest NBA news and rumors on changing the playoff format would finally address the mismatched competition between the Eastern and Western conferences. This is still in line with Commissioner Adam Silver's plans to institute reforms during his second year.

In the Associated Press report, as published on Yahoo News, the Brooklyn Nets are on pace to enter the Eastern Conference playoff rice even if it's likely to end with a losing record of 34-48.

"By now it's not exactly a major news flash that the Eastern Conference isn't anywhere near as deep as the Western Conference ... or, perhaps, most wading pools," the article noted.

The Brooklyn Nets currently stand at 23-31, which is worse than the Miami Heat's record of 24-31. Yet if the playoffs were to start today, both teams might make it. But the Phoenix Suns over at the Western Conference have won five more games than the Nets and yet they won't make the playoffs.

"One of the ideas that has been floated - and will likely one day happen, somehow - is for the best 16 teams to make the playoffs, regardless of conference," according to the NBA news and rumors.

During his All-Star Weekend address, Adam Silver promised to implement some changes that would improve gameplay and excitement for the fans.

"Going into my second year, I recognize it's time to take action on a lot of the things that we've been discussing extensively. My focus is on the game. ... I believe we can improve," he said, according to Sports Illustrated.

In the New York Post's NBA news and rumors, the commissioner said that he's still not entirely convinced that changing the playoff format would be the best thing.

"I do think it's something we have to take a very intensive look at," he said. "When you look at the actual data over the last 10 years, there are far fewer teams that don't make the playoffs that have superior records than you might have thought."