ASK IRONMAN: Tanking Strategies Might Bring Upset Titles in Next NBA Playoffs!
Q: When a coach can speak as candidly as Erik Spoelstra about another team trying to lose it should wake up the entire league. The NBA has a tank-size problem. – Anderson.
A: It used to be that the first rule of tank club is no one talks about tank club. But it has grown so preposterous this season that it simply is impossible to ignore. On Thursday night, it almost was as if the Wizards had to play to win in Orlando because of the pushback from their Tuesday night loss to the Heat .
And even then, the Wizards just sort of let the clock run out at the end of their overtime loss. Still, when you check out the NBA’s injury report, it is awfully curious how so many of the tanking teams suddenly have players with injuries that will keep them out for weeks, if not the balance of the season. Erik Spoelstra might have added fuel to the fire with his tanking comments, but it’s as if he started the fire, it was always burning, since the world’s been turning.
Related Articles Submit your “Ask Ira” question here! Q: Ira, Milwaukee has been trash this season. I want to see what we do against Orlando, Charlotte, the Lakers, Houston and San Antonio.
– Ted. A: Granted, the seven-game winning streak has not been overly fraught with challenges, when including the victories over the Nets, Wizards and Bucks, but it created momentum that could prove crucial against the upcoming schedule. And, yes, it is somewhat of a gauntlet.