LeBron James has been sensitive to how the Eastern Conference has been downgraded in the views of the public and the media.

There had been brief conversations about changing the playoff format to counter the imbalance between conferences.

"There's always been a conversation," James said. "Obviously our conference has always been downplayed the last couple years and we've kind of taken it personal."

The Eastern Conference is trying to rewrite the narrative this season.

Eleven of the 15 teams in the Eastern Conference have a record of .500 or better.

"I think from a collective group of all 15 teams, trying to just hold our end of the bargain and not be the sought-after conference," James said pointedly. "The Western Conference respect us, and glad to be on this side and see so many great teams, so many teams doing well."