1. Welcome! Please take a few seconds to create your free account to post threads, make some friends, remove a few ads while surfing and much more. ClutchFans has been bringing fans together to talk Houston Sports since 1996. Join us!

[Sloan Sports Conference] How to discourage tanking

Discussion in 'NBA Dish' started by Commodore, Mar 3, 2012.

  1. Commodore

    Commodore Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2007
    Messages:
    30,841
    Likes Received:
    14,340
    http://nba-point-forward.si.com/2012/03/03/how-to-solve-late-season-tanking/

     
  2. flamingdts

    flamingdts Member

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2008
    Messages:
    11,550
    Likes Received:
    4,488
    Wow, this system would have us get the first draft pick in the last 2 years. Interesting that there is a very very fine line between getting the best out of being a mediocre team (9th seed) and getting the worse out of being a mediocre team (8th seed in the playoffs).

    Not a terrible system though, It keeps the team competitive and encourages fans to stay supportive since they will be watching their team fight for the first draft pick.

    The only problem I see is that the system seems easily abused as a team could "semi-tank" to get themselves off playoff contention and then fight for the first pick.
     
  3. durvasa

    durvasa Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2006
    Messages:
    37,910
    Likes Received:
    15,377
    Interesting idea. Its better than the system we currently have in place.
     
  4. durvasa

    durvasa Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2006
    Messages:
    37,910
    Likes Received:
    15,377
    No, it wouldn't. Teams that are battling till close to the end of the season for a playoff spot but don't make it will be at a disadvantage compared to teams that are eliminated early on.

    This adds an incentive to win after a team is eliminated.
     
  5. munco

    munco Member

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2003
    Messages:
    3,715
    Likes Received:
    90
    I hate tanking, but some of the terrible teams are not tanking they're just that bad. A team like the Bobcats under this new system would likely end up with a late lottery pick even if they played their best and didn't tank.
     
  6. wizkid83

    wizkid83 Contributing Member

    Joined:
    May 20, 2002
    Messages:
    6,335
    Likes Received:
    847
    Just give every lottery team same amount of pingpong balls and make all spots in the lottery subject to lottery like the first 3 spots.
     
  7. durvasa

    durvasa Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2006
    Messages:
    37,910
    Likes Received:
    15,377
    Problem with that is there is a huge incentive for teams who are right on the bubble of making the playoffs to tank.
     
  8. durvasa

    durvasa Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2006
    Messages:
    37,910
    Likes Received:
    15,377
    No, because they'd be eliminated much earlier than any other team if they were that bad. They would still have a good shot at a top 5 pick or so.
     
  9. Johndoe804

    Johndoe804 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 24, 2010
    Messages:
    3,233
    Likes Received:
    147
    I'd heard an idea on this where a few of the worst teams from each conference lose their places in the league for the teams that do the best in the minor leagues. Therefore tankers would draft from the minor league draft while the best teams would draft from the NBA draft at random.
     
  10. flamingdts

    flamingdts Member

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2008
    Messages:
    11,550
    Likes Received:
    4,488
    I just re-read it, you are correct.
     
  11. Commodore

    Commodore Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2007
    Messages:
    30,841
    Likes Received:
    14,340
    I like this idea alot.

    The advantage of being a crappy team is that you get a head start to collect wins. But you still have to get those wins, so you can't tank. Any team could have something to play for right up to the end.

    Not perfect, but pretty ingenious.
     
  12. MrJason

    MrJason Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2010
    Messages:
    456
    Likes Received:
    114
    Meh.. easiest way I see to discourage tanking is if all lottery teams get an even chance at the top pick.

    That will encourage teams to win and get in the playoffs for the extra money/chance to win/more national coverage. If your team isn't good enough to get into the playoffs, then you'll have the same chance as the other lottery teams to get the first pick. No reason to tank anymore.
     
  13. RudyTBag

    RudyTBag Contributing Member
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2006
    Messages:
    28,029
    Likes Received:
    21,125
    Exactly...


    All the teams that miss the playoffs should have an even chance at getting the number 1 pick. Eliminate the weighted lottery based on record.
     
  14. da_juice

    da_juice Member

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2009
    Messages:
    9,315
    Likes Received:
    1,070
    Too good to ever be implemented.
     
  15. durvasa

    durvasa Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2006
    Messages:
    37,910
    Likes Received:
    15,377
    Suppose it was the last day of the regular season, and the Rockets had to win in order to make the playoffs.

    Wouldn't the team be nuts to actually try to win that game, when by losing they'd have as good a shot as anyone else at winning the lottery?

    I think that would encourage border-line playoff teams to tank.
     
  16. Carl Herrera

    Carl Herrera Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2007
    Messages:
    45,153
    Likes Received:
    21,570
    So, a team under this should tank the first half of the season to eliminate itself quickly then start competing?
     
  17. Carl Herrera

    Carl Herrera Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2007
    Messages:
    45,153
    Likes Received:
    21,570
    It would still only be a 1 in 14 chance at the top pick, with most likely scenario still being the 14th pick, no?

    I think the lotto odds should be rejiggered to make it flatter, though not totally flat.

    Actually, I wouldnt mind letting all 30 teams participate in the lotto.
     
  18. ICanDunkOnYao

    ICanDunkOnYao Member

    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2010
    Messages:
    1,005
    Likes Received:
    38
    The problem with this is that a team could tank until they miss they playoffs, and then start playing seriously. If this lottery system was implemented, I bet lots of 'injured' players on bad teams such as Eric Gordon would miraculously recover once their teams miss the playoffs.
     
  19. Commodore

    Commodore Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2007
    Messages:
    30,841
    Likes Received:
    14,340
    I thought you were a progressive.

    To each according to their need no?
     
  20. Carl Herrera

    Carl Herrera Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2007
    Messages:
    45,153
    Likes Received:
    21,570
    Did I ever say that?

    This is a matter of commerce, nothing to do with ideology.


    Not everything is Ayn Rand and Tea Party like you people think.


    The league should do what it takes to maximize fan interest, and thus revenue. If it means "subsidizing" small market teams and helping losing treams turn around, great. On the other hand, I think the harm of the current lotto system (giving fans of bad teams hope and keeping them engaged) is now outweighed by it's harm (fans rooting against local teams tend to watch less, fans of middle of the road teams lose hope because they think their teams are stuck ).
     

Share This Page

  • About ClutchFans

    Since 1996, ClutchFans has been loud and proud covering the Houston Rockets, helping set an industry standard for team fan sites. The forums have been a home for Houston sports fans as well as basketball fanatics around the globe.

  • Support ClutchFans!

    If you find that ClutchFans is a valuable resource for you, please consider becoming a Supporting Member. Supporting Members can upload photos and attachments directly to their posts, customize their user title and more. Gold Supporters see zero ads!


    Upgrade Now