End line in sight, I flipped on the Mavericks and Bulls the opposite night time, each groups battling for play-in positions.
Wow. Nice recreation.
Two nights later, I attempted the Kings and Pacers. Similar stakes.
Once more, great theater.
So now I’m able to make a profound assertion:
Why is tanking such a nasty factor?
Watching the Mavericks with out Luka and the Bulls with out … properly, mainly everyone was a bit like watching Ferris State play Slippery Rock in soccer.
Entertaining, however at a Division II degree. Belief me, you don’t need Ohio State.
Ought to the Mavs and/or Bulls survive the play-in – the Silver carrot the commissioner needs them to battle their darndest to corral – they might be nothing greater than sweep fodder for one of many vastly superior prime seeds within the playoffs.
Frankly, Dallas did itself a disservice even making an attempt to win the Chicago recreation. The Mavs could be much better off taking a full-court heave on the subsequent Doncic – or on this case, even higher – within the draft lottery.
Similar with the Kings, besides that they had been sensible sufficient to return up quick in opposition to the Pacers. They’re making an attempt to win and are nonetheless dropping, which tells you ways crucial it’s for them to land a generational celebrity within the draft.
There is not at all times one on the market, however there’s this yr. So objectives should be adjusted.
Commish Silver says tanking is unhealthy for his sport. He assumes everybody agrees.
I don’t. The truth is, YOU don’t … or not less than a majority of you.
In some unspecified time in the future within the standings, most followers would favor to see their group lose to extend their probabilities within the lottery. Particularly when Cooper Flagg is the prize.
Perhaps I’d draw that line a bit increased than others. But when I had been wishing the perfect for the Warmth and Bulls – two groups at present in play-in place within the East – or the Mavericks and Kings – their mirror pictures within the West – I’d pay the scorekeeper to slide an additional level or two to the opponent … say about each 5 minutes.
Be aware I didn’t point out the Suns. These guys may appear like they’re tanking, however they haven’t any incentive to take action.
They don’t personal their 2025 first-round choose. The Bulls and Mavericks have theirs, whereas the Warmth will preserve theirs if it’s within the lottery, the identical for the Kings in the event that they land within the prime 12 of the draft.
Tanking on the expense of a playoff spot sounds – pardon the time period – ludicrous. However these 4 groups are not any higher off than the 9 on the backside of the standings who’re already backstroking as quick as they’ll.
They could make the playoffs, however just like the Wizards, Hornets, Jazz and their fellow lightweights, they’ve zero probability of profitable a single recreation in opposition to the Cavaliers, Celtics, Thunder, Nuggets or Lakers.
Ten years from now, when these groups gained’t need to tank to be within the lottery, they’ll be asking themselves: Was it actually sensible to bust our butt to make the playoffs in 2025, when all that did was get us embarrassed by the Cavaliers? Or Thunder? Or whoever?
Ask the Hawks and Timberwolves. They celebrated play-in success in 2023, solely to win a mixed three of 11 video games within the playoffs and throw away a shot at Victor Wembanyama.
Suppose their followers wish to gentle the lamp to problem that decision?
And right here’s the factor about tanking …
OK, it’s clear the tactic generally is a optimistic for a lot of groups, and a overwhelming majority of their followers could be in favor.
However what in regards to the opponent? You understand, the one which’s getting the boat-race win.
I don’t hear any complaining from them.
First off, they’re getting a much-needed win of their quest to higher place themselves for the large event.
Secondly, they get to relaxation their prime gamers, which certain beats Silver’s different massive concern – unexcused absences. Even Kawhi Leonard might do a back-to-back if the opener was a glorified scrimmage.
And lastly, do you actually suppose these followers are strolling out of the sector saying: “What a waste of cash. I got here right here to see Cam Johnson stroll throughout Jayson Tatum once more.”
So backside line: The tanker and its followers prefer it, and the tankee and its followers prefer it.
Apart from rivals who already had their shot at these weaklings, so stick a sock in it, the one individuals who might presumably not like tanking are the tv executives, who, in fact, are Silver’s focused viewers when he levels a State of the NBA handle and rails on his illness of the day.
However that’s one other factor about tanking: When you rightfully applaud the forward-thinking idea, then it turns into extra predictable. And therein lies the answer:
Televise a special recreation.
Right here’s hoping a significantly flawed No. 10 seed goes ultra-rogue and tanks its play-in recreation, then defies the percentages and wins the Flagg sweepstakes.
Give that man Government of the Yr on the spot.
Silver would go nuts, threaten to void the lottery and hope incensed followers would revolt in help of their hero. Not bloody seemingly.
He’d have a greater probability touchdown an growth group in Greenland.