Tanking has been a major topic during the NBA’s All-Star break, and Commissioner Adam Silver has proposed several rule changes intended to deter teams from engaging in the practice.
Although some prominent members of the NBA community have no issue with tanking, others view it as a serious problem, with one owner even referring to those who tank as “losers.”
NBA World Reacts to Adam Silver’s Potential Tanking Changes
During All-Star weekend, Silver described the tanking problem as “worse this year than we’ve seen in recent memory,” which has prompted increased discussion and communication with all 30 league general managers.
“Commissioner Adam Silver informed the league’s 30 general managers on Thursday that the NBA plans to make anti-tanking rule changes for next season,” ESPN insider Shams Charania reported. “Stakeholders have intensified dialogue about combating tanking.”
Silver is even working with one of the all-time greats to address the issue.
“Sources said Mike Krzyzewski, the senior adviser to basketball operations for the league office, delivered a message at Thursday’s meeting that there should be a prompt, tasteful “attack” on the problem and that all involved should be prepared to respond to what the league enacts in the coming months and year,” Charania reported.
Although giving teams reasons not to tank may appear beneficial for the league, many in the NBA community are displeased with Silver’s approach.
Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report joked about gambling tie-ins in professional sports, specifically the NBA.
“These rule changes are sponsored by [sportsbook x],” Bailey joked.
Keith Smith of Spotrac and the “Front Office Show” did not joke but argued that addressing gambling scandals should take priority.
“I get that tanking is seen as really bad. I get that the league is going to do what they can to fix it,” Smith said. “Saying tanking is worse than gambling scandals is about 20 bridges too far. Waving away gambling scandals like that is insanity.”
Others demanded immediate action, such as the popular Knicks account New York Basketball.
“Weak. Do it now.”
Aaron J. Fentress of The Oregonian supported potential new rules.
“Yeah! Be firm. Direct. Police fake injuries. Levy lottery percentage penalties,” Fentress said. “It’s not that complicated. Players don’t tank. Organizations do.”
Fentress added that applying pressure and creating consequences could change organizational behavior.
Not all Knicks accounts agreed. Knicks Memes, one the largest Knicks account on social media, argued that some of the proposed changes go too far, saying, “Some of these are bananas”
Sleeper Hoops viewed the proposals as targeting the Indiana Pacers.
“I see the anti pacers rule in there,” the acount wrote.
According to Charania, the following concepts have been discussed to curb tanking: first-round picks protected only top-4 or top-14; lottery odds frozen at the trade deadline or later; no top-4 picks in consecutive years or after consecutive bottom-3 finishes; teams barred from picking top-4 the year after making conference finals; lottery odds allocated based on two-year records; lottery extended to include all play-in teams; flattened odds for all lottery teams.
Whether the NBA takes serious action against tanking remains to be seen, but this represents a more authoritative stance on the issue than in the past.
