<Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td_colspan="5"> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> W7 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Ul> <Li> 2007: To address the criticisms of having each division champion guaranteed a top - three seed, regardless of record, the rules were changed such that the division winners are now only guaranteed a top - four seed . The team with the second - best record in the conference is now guaranteed the second seed, even if it finishes second in its own division . This ensures that the two best teams in the conference cannot meet until the conference finals at the earliest . The previous system raised the prospect of the two best teams in the conference being seeded 1 and 4 if they play in the same division, thus forcing them to play each other in the second round (given no upsets). <Ul> <Li> Note: In the example below, the East's #2 seed is not a division champion . </Li> </Ul> </Li> </Ul> <Li> 2007: To address the criticisms of having each division champion guaranteed a top - three seed, regardless of record, the rules were changed such that the division winners are now only guaranteed a top - four seed . The team with the second - best record in the conference is now guaranteed the second seed, even if it finishes second in its own division . This ensures that the two best teams in the conference cannot meet until the conference finals at the earliest . The previous system raised the prospect of the two best teams in the conference being seeded 1 and 4 if they play in the same division, thus forcing them to play each other in the second round (given no upsets). <Ul> <Li> Note: In the example below, the East's #2 seed is not a division champion . </Li> </Ul> </Li>

When did they change the nba finals format