The NBA should eliminate those awful 10:30 p.m. start times for the playoffs

The NBA playoffs are not for the weary.

Hi, I'm weary.

Trying to stay up for these 10:30 p.m. ET games is a game in itself, and I'm losing. The sad part is the playoffs just started. Some series aren't even two games deep yet. I've never felt more washed.

This isn't a new problem, of course. Every year, East Coast NBA fans sacrifice sleep to catch those late playoff games in the West. Knowing we'll pay a price in the morning.

It's a trade-off we've long accepted. Games on this side start at 7 p.m., which gives fans ample opportunity to get to the arena, or wherever they plan to watch. It's only right the NBA gives fans on the West the same courtesy. Plus, the league wants to stagger those TV broadcasts. Thus, 10:30 ET start times -- or 7:30 PT.

While it's safe to assume the NBA did the research to determine best times to get the most eyeballs, I need the league to consider re-crunching those numbers soon. There has to be a better way.

Even a 30 minute bump would make all the difference in the world (NHL games on the West start at 10 ET), though I think the NBA could do even better and move those late games up an entire hour to 9:30 ET. Which is when many games in the central and mountain time zones start anyway.

Think about it this way: most prime-time NFL games start at 8:15 ET, and they do just fine in the ratings department. The NBA playoffs are a national product in the same way and should be treated as such.

Why are we making it so hard for a segment of fans to watch them at reasonable times? Why should I have to struggle to stay up past 1 a.m. to see how one of the final games between all-time legends LeBron James and Kevin Durant ends?

Admittedly, this is mostly a cry for myself. Because I'm struggling, y'all. But I know somebody out there can relate. A one-hour bump would still leave fans on the West enough time to get settled from school and work, while keeping us on the East more engaged throughout the entire playoffs. We wouldn't be so weary so soon. Help us out, NBA.

Trouble in San Antonio

Victor Wembanyama is hurt.

Victor Wembanyama suffered a concussion in the Spurs' playoff loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday, and suddenly the Spurs might be in for a tougher series than anyone anticipated.

The injury happened in the second quarter, when Wembanyama hit his head on the floor during a hard fall. Now, the Defensive Player of the Year is in concussion protocol with no word yet on when he might be able to return.

If Wembanyama is out an extended period of time, the 2-seed Spurs would likely still be favored to advance. But Portland would no doubt smell blood in the water. A huge first-round upset would not be out of the question.

Quick hits: Mike Vrabel speaks ... biggest NFL draft busts ... and more

• Mike Vrabel finally broke his silence on the Dianna Russini situation... but he didn't actually say much of anything.
• Here's a fun one sure to bring out bad memories for NFL fans: Christian D'Andrea and Robert Zeglinski compiled a list of the biggest NFL draft bust from every single team.
• On the 10-year anniversary of Prince's death, Alex McDaniel put together this wonderful retrospective on the purple one's iconic Super Bowl performance, which still stands as the greatest.
• Billy Donovan's time with the Bulls is over. Cory Woodroof has a few ideas on which way Chicago could turn for a new head coach.

This was For The Win’s daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Did a friend recommend or forward this to you? If so, subscribe here.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: NBA should eliminate awful 10:30 p.m. start times for the playoffs