I was actually hoping to see a mini play in style tournament like the NBA.
Tanking in the NBA still happens, but it has gone from 8-10 teams tanking, to now about only about 4-5 teams per year thinking they have no chance at the playoffs.
The cream still rises to the top and top seeded teams still tend to win the championship. But giving more teams a shot at just making the playoffs has made front offices more prone to 'going for it' and owners have set more 'playoff mandates'
It is a small sample size as we are just year 3 of the play in idea. But IMO so far, it is has led to a better product and less teams sitting players out with mysterious injuries or packing it in starting in November.
MLB is a bit different since 'worse' teams on paper do have a better shot at winning it all.
But I am of the opinion that expanded playoffs could lead to less tanking.
It is indeed a money grab and may dilute the playoffs, but there are pros and con to everything
