Strategic? Embarrassing? NBA tanking is both. The league needs do something bold to eradicate the practice. My proposal would do just that.
With over a month to go in the season, there’s a visible line between the teams aiming for the playoffs and teams fighting to reign supreme at draft time.
The line is especially clear in the NBA Western Conference. As of March 3, there’s a 15-game difference between the Nuggets (currently in 8th place, the last team to make the playoffs) and the Kings (the 12th seed). While the Nuggets are at full sail, the Kings aren’t. After trading George Hill and reducing Vince Carter’s and Zach Randolph’s minutes, it’s clear that the Kings’ goal is to develop young talent and battle for a lottery pick in this year’s draft.
It’s called “tanking,” that is, losing with a purpose in mind. And nowhere in sports is “tanking” more visible and talked about than the NBA.
For casual sports fans, the concept is unfathomable. The purpose of sports is clear–to battle for victory. “Quitters never win and winners never quit.” Right? Well, not exactly.
The Philadelphia 76ers followed a different path. Among the NBA’s worst teams this decade, the Sixers received lottery picks year after year. The 76ers “Trusted the Process” and remained patient. And losing has paid off: Philadelphia is now standing 6th in the NBA’s Eastern Conference.
The outcome means “Trusting the Process” (on paper, a positive reference) really means keep losing, get a lottery pick (on the court, “tank”) and become a better team.
But the NBA landscape is changing–at least a bit. Beginning in 2019, the NBA’s worst three teams will have an equal chance (14%) of getting the top pick. In years past, the odds were staggered–25% 19%, and 15.6%, respectively.
While that’s a small step in the right direction, by no means will it prevent tanking. Something more definitive is needed and here is my proposal.
Let’s have a second NBA “Finals” where the worst teams battle it out for the #1 pick. It would be fun for fans and it would put competition back on the court–where it belongs.
Think of it. Knicks’ fans would get to see young players, like Frank Ntilikina and Trey Burke, play extensively in a best of three series against other young stars like Devin Booker (Phoenix) or Zach LaVine (Chicago). I think it makes sense to have teams actually play for the NBA’s top pick.
But unfortunately, the likely future for NBA fans is different. Some fans will continue paying good money to watch their teams lose … intentionally.
