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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...

I'm reasonably confident that the NBA suits are highly concerned about tanking. As the above also notes, and which to this point has been underdiscussed, it's also detrimental to the careers of the many players who are collateral damage to the tank, e.g., Lauri. I don't think anyone would blame...

On cue, resorting to personal attacks rather than engaging with the argument. Questioning tanking = character defect. So typical and so predictable.

No True Scotsman

LOL, I can't argue with that. Well played.

I'm reminded of the song from Guys and Dolls, "Marry the Man Today, Change His Ways Tomorrow." Anyone with experience in relationships immediately recognizes the folly of such sentiments. At some point, you are who you are. Marrying a bum doesn't magically transform him into a gentleman. Zion is...

Yeah, and ....? I've questioned the efficacy of tanking vs. its cost. I haven't proposed eliminating it. Also, that a policy creates some perverse incentives at the margin is to be expected and not necessarily in itself a reason not to enact a policy. It's a matter of degree. My sense is that...

Thank you for taking the time to do this. I think we're all in agreement that, on average, you're more likely to find allstars or superstars (however defined) at the top of the draft. Thus, drafing higher rather than lower is important, and it's one reason why high draft picks are valued so...

Let's hope so, mon mimi. If not, what does that say about how the Jazz have drafted during the first two years of the tank? If we don't believe any of these guys can play a large role on a winning NBA team, the entire tank has been a bloody wasted two years. If the Jazz FO is that poor at...

Sound familiar to anyone? Fisher, B. (2012). Fandom, identity, and online communities: A review of sports fan studies. Sport in Society, 15(5), 720-734. This paper discusses the role of fandom in digital spaces, where extreme loyalty and commitment to a team can sometimes result in the...

One challenge with tanking is that players are playing for contracts, playing time, or even remaining on an NBA roster. They want to play well and win. They've no incentive to fall on their swords to support the tank so that the team can draft their replacements. It's a delicate balancing act...