Rudy T, on tanking: "There's integrity in this deal. I don't know how you can turn that thing around. Players would lose respect for a coach who doesn't put an effort in to make them better." Steve Francis: "The people who say that stuff (the Rockets should lose to get more ping-pong balls), they never played basketball...They don't know what it feels like to want to win every day. To come in here and practice hard every day, to fly for 4 1/2, five hours to a game that you know you want to win. That's definitely ludicrous." These are the guys people want to ask to go out and lose? ------------------
I, for one, have never wished them to tank.....I just want us to get a good shot at a high lottery pick. I still watch, and still wish them to win. Sometimes it is easier to say, "Well, they played a good team, and they played a good game, and lost....." That's ok with me. As long as we are competitive and play hard....and we are learning! That is key. I don't want to tank. That benefits no one. The players lose respect for the coach, the coach loses his competitive fire, people become complacent. It is just bad for the team and fans. ------------------ HOOP-T Hey Shaq, Acme called, and they want their bricks back!
I'm glad to hear a player talk like that. I hope they all feel that way. But, I think Rudy is doing what Les and the organization and possibly the coaching staff feels is best, which may or may not include "tanking". He has made so odd playing time decisions, which could be construed as tanking. But, I guess the players we have just aren't bad enough to do a real good tank job and get the 1st pick. (Thank goodness) ------------------ I have a dream.........his name's Hakeem.
If a team "takes the phone off the hook" at the trade deadline and turns down deals to improve the team as popeye suggested way back when, is that tanking? It is in my book. ------------------
Yes Francis3, he's dissing us. I'm rooting for Brand now. j/k. Anywho... we made the lottery, they get paid their millions for not winning, and I'm just happy that we have an outside chance at a top-3 pick. ------------------ <this space for rent>
