I enjoy tradition but am not opposed to a different format. However, if one were to employ this type of thing I'd much rather they just go all the way and do away with conferences and divisions. I really don't see the usefulness of the division and conference facade when it comes to the playoffs.
Set the playoff number of teams and then the best records play each other accordingly. Too many instances of 10-6 teams being left out while 7-9 get in. All based on arbitrary alignments that are only 6 games out of the schedule. How a team fares against the rest of the league should count for more than division records at this point. Especially now that there are twice as many non-division games as division games.
I know there are some regional rivalries that fans cherish but the should be secondary to how the league chooses it's champion.
