Dave Reardon: Get rid of tanking by letting worst teams play for No. 1 pick
Can we all agree that tanking sucks? OK, it’s not as bad as flat-out throwing games, but strategizing to lose for better draft position is getting more and more blatant, especially in the NBA. Also, it’s kind of dumb especially this year when you consider the great depth of the first-round talent.
Part of the problem is the regular season is just too long. But too much money is at stake for ...
Can we all agree that tanking sucks? OK, it’s not as bad as flat-out throwing games, but strategizing to lose for better draft position is getting more and more blatant, especially in the NBA. Also, it’s kind of dumb especially this year when you consider the great depth of the first-round talent.
Part of the problem is the regular season is just too long. But too much money is at stake for anyone to consider shortening it. So there is some legitimacy to occasionally resting players for load-management reasons.
The concept is abused, however, as some teams look for ways to lose, valuing a high draft pick over integrity of the game. The Jazz and Pacers were so obvious about it that they were fined in February for benching healthy starters. But those are just the most extreme examples.