It seems like a lot of fans like to use the 4-6 argument for Lebron or Finals losses affect a player’s legacy negatively more than early round losses. Why don’t we celebrate winning the East/West pennant more often? It’s almost as if making the Finals is as useful as making the playoffs and getting knocked out in the first round.
Yet in the MLB making the World Series is a BIG deal even if you get swept and blown out each game. It’s considered so prestigious that we always say AL or NL pennant. Why don’t NBA ever get to the same prestige level on winning the pennant as MLB?
Because the National and American leagues were separate entities for a very long time and the level of interleague play MLB has today is relatively new. There was and still is a lot of pride winning your league.
NBA Basketball is all one league with no history separating the conferences. The goal has always been the finals.