Tanking is Good for the NBA

Why does everybody get so worked up about tanking in the NBA?

Every year in the NBA people talk about tanking.  Analysts and fans alike state their disgust over this act that the teams, in turn, vehemently deny takes place (unless your name is Bryan Colangelo, former Raptors GM).  Why do fans and analysts get worked up and why do teams deny it? 

The word tanking has such a negative connotation.  What tanking really is, is rebuilding.  Shouldn’t fans appreciate that their team has the guts to tear something down so bad for the betterment of the franchise?  Lets dispel some myths about tanking. 

Myth 1:  Tanking Hurts the Integrity of the Game

Sure, some of the teams in the NBA trotted out rosters that embarrass their fan bases (we’re talking to you, Philadelphia), but you don’t have to watch.  If your home team is a joke, don’t give them your money.  If the money isn’t there it will motivate them to turn things around quickly.  Once a team gets a star player, the fans will forget all about the tough years.  Sports fans have a short memory.  Do you think Spurs fans are still upset about the tank year before they drafted Tim Duncan? 

Myth 2:  Tanking Works

This is the risk of tanking.  For every Tim Duncan, Spurs situation there is a Kings situation.  The Sacramento Kings have been mediocre at best since the Chris Webber days.  Tanking followed up by poor decisions kills a franchise.  The real problem here isn’t the tanking, it is the poor decision-making.  Even if a team tanks and gets the worst record, they may not get the first pick thanks to the draft lottery.  This is unlike the NFL where the Indianapolis Colts could completely lose their way into drafting Andrew Luck. 

Myth 3:  Tanking is Widespread

Not every team is tanking.  Some teams are just terrible.  Also, in a weak draft year, teams will not tank like they are this year or in other strong draft years. 

Myth 4:  Players Tank

Players don’t tank.  Players play hard.  Professional athletes have too much pride to lay down and lose a game on purpose.  They are playing for their jobs and their contracts.  The coaches don’t tank either.  They are trying to win games for their jobs and contracts too.  It is the front office that tanks.  While the players and coaches have to worry about the here and now, the front office is tasked with the responsibility of planning for the future.  Success hinges on star players and the front office puts the team in position to acquire star players. 

The bottom line is if you polled fans, there would be an overwhelming amount that would be willing to lose more games one year in order to have a franchise player for the next decade.  The way to lose games is to tank.  Again, the real word is rebuilding.  Teams tank in order to rebuild for a more successful future.