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I'm not convinced teams still won't load manage, even with a shortened season. It's become a pretty ingrained aspect of the NBA landscape. Plus, I keep hearing and reading from podcasters and pundits that the regular season doesn't matter: it's all about the playoffs. Is that mindset going to...

The Allstar game appears almost irretrievably broken. Despite almost universal acknowledgement that the game sucks, it's hard to note any discernible evidence that the players care. I'm guessing many of them wish it would go away so they could spend a few extra days in Cabo. It's hard to imagine...

I turned off the sound after listening to Hart for a bit. God, he was so annoying. Who likes that crap?

The lack of self-awareness of this quote is stunning: "Over the last 11 games (10-1 record) we have the #1 defensive rating in the league, #2 Net rating (OKC #1) and the #6 offensive rating in the league. What a massive leap from the start of the season when we were dead last on defense."

Whoops, sorry, I didn't catch that your context was rebuilding more broadly. No, a rebuild is more than tanking, whereas tanking is one possible rebuild strategy. I think we'd agree on that. Even then, requiring 10 years for a rebuild is evidence of gross mismanagement. If you can't figure out...

Tank or no tank, smacking down the Lakers always tastes sweet.

If a tank does take 10 years, that's A LOT of patience required of the fanbase, easily crossing the line from asking patience to flagrant incompetence and outright fan abuse. Any GM or front office group that subjects a team's fanbase to this level of suffering deserves all the shiite they get...

Well said. For me, and in the context of the Jazz, a successful tank HAS to include a perennial competitive team that makes regular semi-deep (i.e., second round), deep (conference finals), or finals runs. Otherwise, we blew up a perennially competitive team and endured 5+ years of shiite...

Thank you for your excellent analysis. I guess my question is what are the criteria to determine whether the tank was successful tank and whether the benefits exceed the costs. For example, after suffering five years of intentional misery, what is the expected outcome? An NBA title or multiple...

And I'm equally sure 4 years from now everything will be exactly as rosy as you predict it will be. Does this make you a Rosy Ruby? I don't believe that on signing up for Jazzfanz anyone was asked to sign a pledge promising to be all sunshine and smiles. He's as much right to be...

Tank notwithstanding, it would have been sweet to beat the Lakers on national TV to spoil the Doncic slobberfest. I tried to watch this game, really tried. But, I couldn't take it anymore. God, this is awful basketball. I'm squinting hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but all I see...

Holy hell. I go away for a couple of weeks and THIS happens. I'm not sure what's worse, this or Phoenix and Sacramento passing over Doncic for Ayton and Bagley. In each case, GMs (or owners) were too clever for their own good, passing over the obvious best choice, posing as galaxy-brained...

Identify or reconize vs. criticize is a difference without a distinction in this context. My point remains equally valid. It's a silly requirement to proscribe criticizing some action without simultaneously offering a solution. We can use the homeless problem again. Let's say a government policy...

I have considered it. I've stated clearly that I understand the strategic reasons for tanking. I also understand why teams do it. I've conceded that the existing incentive system incentivizes tanking. I question, however, it's efficacy, depending on what one's goals are. I'm also skeptical that...

Here's the Spurs' record over the last five years: 23-24: 22-60; 22-23: 22-60; 21-22: 34-48; 20-21: 33-39; 19-20: 32-39. That's a hell of a lot of pain. The Spurs got Wemby out of sheer dumb luck, not because of some galaxy-brain strategy. All the other teams in the lottery didn't get him. What...

Quick answer: no. Lolololololomao. You have no inside info about the details of the negotiations, including what promises, assurances, conditions, etc. were discussed and how they and other factors influenced Lauri's decision to sign. Don't pretend you do. You've no reason to be so confident...

That may be. I hope so.

The argument that "one can't offer criticism unless one can also offer solutions" is silly. It's a common rhetorical device used by people to deflect criticism, shut down opposition, and spare them the bother of crafting a counterargument. People can be reasonably astute at identifying that a...

That's a lot of assumptions about Lauri's state of mind, what was told him during negotiations, and what other factors contributed to his decision. Life rarely presents such clear binary explanations.

You're right, of course. If I were to offer him an out, it would be that the amount of money offered is akin to a golden handcuff. He'll be disgruntled in his golden retraints, I guess. Anyone who criticizes him for taking that kind of money despite knowing the state of things has never been...