Winning the Atlantic Division has meant two things over the last two years: a chance to raise a banner over the Continental Airlines Arena and an automatic top three seeding in the conference playoffs. Under new playoffs rules announced Wednesday, the banner can still be raised, but the seeding will be determined by winning record. If the new rules had been in effect last season, the Cleveland Cavaliers would have been seeded third and the Nets fourth.
- NBA Changes Playoff Seedings - Jerry Crowe - Los Angeles Times