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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Funds sought to upgrade youth prison Medford's second-hand law gets a second look Emergency Services, Feb. 24 Man critically burned in trailer fire Medford, Ashland districts fall short of anti-bullying standards Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency Services, Feb. 24 Man critically burned in trailer fire Medford neighbors take up arms against a sea of graffiti Emergency Services, Feb. 23 Car crashes into new south Medford home Politics and Elections Ballots on Jackson County marijuana tax go out Friday Brown's inauguration brings hope to local lawmakers Kate Brown sworn in as Oregon's 38th governor Gov. Kitzhaber steps down, federal investigation begins Gov. Kitzhaber announces resignation Education Medford, Ashland districts fall short of anti-bullying standards Grace to assume school governance AHS principal up for national award Today is exclusion day for kids who don't have required vaccines A question of punishment Environment Lost Creek Lake logjam could become hazard for boaters Made in the Shade Controlled burn planned for Ashland watershed on Friday Coho salmon road trip Mt. Ashland Ski Area celebrates snow State News Oregon to launch investigation into Kitzhaber email leak Brown says she'll preserve Oregon death penalty moratorium Tentative deal reached in West Coast port labor dispute State Senate votes to dissolve Cover Oregon Psychic gets 8 years for con of timber heir Nation - World Obituaries "Billy" Geyer Gregory Paul Harlow Everett Raymond Evon "Bud" Pennington Death Notices Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Mars One attracts science fiction geeks and people who hate society This $1 million Mercedes is like an armored private jet for the road Sports Latest Stories Harden's triple-double boosts Rockets LOCAL REPORT No. 8 Kansas victimized by K-State comeback LOCAL EVENTS Playoffs could use overhaul Varsity 541 College Sports No. 8 Kansas victimized by K-State comeback Raiders host Yotes in quarterfinal round Beavers a win away from outright Pac-12 title Comeback in Corvallis Bubble Breaker? Pro Sports Harden's triple-double boosts Rockets Playoffs could use overhaul A-Rod back, but avoids PED specifics Grizzlies overcome deficit to beat Blazers Hahn wins Riviera after playoff Community Sports Business Latest Stories Warm winter has fruit growers poised for action People in Business Ride & Drive: 2015 VW Golf R Silvio Calabi: Kia Soul mixes practicality with personality Briefcase: Business briefs for Feb. 21 Real Estate News Housing prices climb 9 percent in Jackson County Big plans on the Butte Homes for the long haul People In Business People in Business People in Business Transportation Medford airport flies past January record Agriculture Warm winter has fruit growers poised for action Briefcase: Business briefs for Feb. 21 1-800-Flowers dumps Harry & David execs Nine companies pitch investment opportunities in Medford Darigold to shutter Medford plant, putting 29 out of work Opinion Latest Our View: Homeless food proposal is the best solution yet Letters to the Editor, Feb. 24 Guest Opinion: Bill would shore up legal aid funding Mark L. Hopkins: History speaks to us on our present economic situation Feb. 23: Letters to the editor Editorials Our View: Homeless food proposal is the best solution yet Our View: Smell of trouble may spark marijuana limits Voter bill secures a fundamental right Our view: Will Brown reach out to rural Oregon? Our view: Expulsions hurt students, district, community Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Feb. 24 Feb. 23: Letters to the editor Feb. 22: Letters to the editor Feb. 20: Letters to the editor Feb. 19: Letters to the editor Columns Guest Opinion: Bill would shore up legal aid funding Parker: Cable news twists the 'war on Islam' Independent Party focuses on the public interest Milbank: Walker's cowardice on view in NY Will: Tweet this: Digital dialogue won't work Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Bill would shore up legal aid funding Guest Opinion: Weed killers should not be sprayed on streams, homes Guest Opinion: Understanding Wes Cooley Guest Opinion: Smokers: Quit before this happens to you Guest Opinion: Our public school system is a stew pot of clashing ingredients Lifestyle Latest stories Dr. Elaine Heffner: Oscars and reality Food for Thought: Feed your creativity with Havarti Day Trippin': Mill Creek Falls easy to miss Blog: HAIKU MONDAY: On Sunscreen Steelhead and Flat Earthers Ride & Drive: 2015 VW Golf R Food Food for Thought: Feed your creativity with Havarti Kitchen Call: Baseball, beans and Bob Motley Gail Ciampa: Scrod Francaise fits the bill for Lenten dining Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015 Fire and Smoke Home and Garden Home Help: Low-maintenance landscaping ideas Garden Cameos: Winter is the time to prune How to install energy-efficient windows the right way Dear Monty: Nine downsizing tips for seniors Carol Link: Prime time for pruning blueberries approaches Health Community blog: And if I Die Before I Wake Dr. Murray Feingold: Does a sedentary lifestyle make you prone to disease? Dr. Jeff Hersh: Breathe easy - all about lung function Health Watch: Health improvements you can make today that will pay off for a lifetime Runners’ Corner: Helpful winter running hints Hiking Biking Faith Religion briefs: Friday, Feb. 20 Religion News: Pope makes surprise shantytown visit Religion briefs: Friday, Feb. 13 RELIGION BRIEFS, Feb. 6 Religion News: Church of England consecrates first female bishop Milestones and Achievements Anniversary: Hofer New arrivals: Sunday, Feb. 8 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories SOU presents 'She Stoops to Conquer' Live Music in Local Clubs OSF kicks off its 2015 season SOU presents 'The Glass Menagerie' Third Fridays showcases local artists Theater SOU presents 'She Stoops to Conquer' 'The Glass Menagerie' is polished and professional OSF kicks off its 2015 season SOU presents 'The Glass Menagerie' Le Cirque presents 'City Walk' Music Professor Gall plays Oberon's Tavern Live Music in Local Clubs The music that made Paris famous Blues Jam at The Little Brown Jug Southern Oregon Jazz Orchestra Community Events Third Fridays showcases local artists Southern Oregon Rod and Custom Show Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Jacksonville celebrates Chinese New Year Comedian Susan Westenhoefer pulls no punches Dining Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015 Saigon Xich Lo Vietnamese cuisine The zwickels shall flow Soo Rah Korean Cuisine Stylish shareables are the feature at Brickroom Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines/Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Our View: Homeless food proposal is the best solution yet ... Guest Opinion: Bill would shore up legal aid funding ... Medford's second-hand law gets a second look ... Our View: Homeless food proposal is the best solution yet ... Guest Opinion: Bill would shore up legal aid funding ... Medford's second-hand law gets a second look ... AROUND THE NBA Playoffs could use overhaul Comment By Tim Reynolds The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Tim Reynolds The Associated Press Posted Feb. 23, 2015 at 8:25 PM By Tim Reynolds The Associated Press Posted Feb. 23, 2015 at 8:25 PM » Social News MIAMI — The Brooklyn Nets are on pace to finish 34-48 this season. The Brooklyn Nets are also on pace to make the NBA playoffs. 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 Nets and Miami Heat, who would both be in the playoffs if they started today with records way below .500, wouldn't be the worst teams in NBA history to make the postseason. Chicago, San Antonio and Boston have all had teams that, when combining regular-season and postseason records, have had teams make the playoffs with winning percentags of .419 or less twice. And the Bulls, Spurs and Celtics franchises are basketball royalty. But even they're not immune to down times. 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. So here's a look at what that playoff bracket would look like, if this season ended Sunday: 1. Golden State vs. 16. New Orleans. 2. Atlanta vs. 15. Phoenix. 3. Memphis vs. 14. Oklahoma City. 4. Houston vs. 13. Milwaukee. 5. Toronto vs. 12. Washington. 6. L.A. Clippers vs. 11. Cleveland. 7. Dallas vs. 10. San Antonio. 8. Portland vs. 9. Chicago. Seriously, who wouldn't take that right now (except Miami and Brooklyn, who would fall off the postseason bracket in this system)? Anthony Davis vs. the Splash Brothers in a first-round series. Chris Paul matching wits with LeBron James to open the playoffs (and everyone who follows college basketball's postseason knows an 11 seed has to beat a 6 seed every year). Bulls vs. Blazers, a rematch of NBA Finals past in an opening-round matchup. It's not like the playoffs need to get more exciting. Last year's postseason might have been the most scintillating in league history. But if the NBA wanted to make a change, this one seems like it would work. KNICKS WATCH: On their way to the worst season in franchise history, the Knicks will continue their attempt to win a game without Carmelo Anthony. New York is 0-15 without Anthony this season, and visits the Celtics on Wednesday, visits the Pistons on Friday and plays host to the Raptors on Saturday. WARRIORS-CAVS: It's not too early for an NBA Finals preview. Golden State travels to Cleveland on Thursday night, a nationally televised game that will surely get tons of attention. Golden State won the season's first meeting last month by 18, though that was with LeBron James sitting out. THUNDER WITHOUT KD: Oklahoma City has climbed back onto the Western Conference playoff bracket after its disastrous start, and now tries to stay there with Kevin Durant set to miss at least a week because of pain in his surgically repaired foot. The Thunder play four games this week, including a trip to Phoenix — also jostling for that No. 8 spot out West — on Thursday. KORVER CHASING HISTORY: Atlanta sharpshooter Kyle Korver's chase of history continues. Only one player in NBA history has finished a full season shooting 50 percent from the field, 50 percent from 3-point range and 90 percent from the foul line, and that was Steve Kerr for the Bulls in 1995-96. Korver is currently at 50 percent from the field, 51 percent from 3-point range and 90 percent from the line. WELCOME BACK, KG: Kevin Garnett puts a Minnesota uniform on again Wednesday, when the Timberwolves play host to Washington. Wind chills in Minneapolis on Wednesday night are expected to be below zero, and be assured that no one lucky enough to have tickets to this one will be deterred. STAT LINE OF THE WEEK : Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City, had the only two 30-point, 10-assist games in the NBA this past week. He scored 34 points and had 10 assists against Dallas on Feb. 19, then had a 33-point, 10-assist effort against Charlotte two days later. Combined, he was also 23-for-23 from the line in those two games. By Tim Reynolds The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Tim Reynolds The Associated Press Posted Feb. 23, 2015 at 8:25 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. fantasy football Fantasy Football Outlook for Browns Stars Feb. 19, 2015 at 6:32 pm 2015 Fantasy Football Outlook for Vikings Stars Feb. 13, 2015 at 6:47 am Fantasy Football Outlook for Jets Stars Feb. 7, 2015 at 4:30 am Super Bowl Fantasy Review and Highlights Feb. 2, 2015 at 10:00 am Top Fantasy Players, Projections for Patriots vs. Seahawks Jan. 31, 2015 at 8:39 am Fantasy Football Outlook for Titans Stars Jan. 30, 2015 at 10:37 am calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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