Tanking/76ers

[naturalborn103]

Lowe is reporting the lottery odds could be drastically changing in the next year so you won't be guaranteed good picks for tanking. Most people agree this is due to majority of the league being mad about the 76ers current strategy. What is general opinion here on tanking and what 76ers are doing?

[Philaflava]

I think a lot of teams do this, it's just that the Sixers are kinda open about it. They aren't misleading anyone, especially the fans. It's frustrating as a fan, but the let down is a lot better than pretending to be something you're not and sugar coating shit for 82 games. But I like the new rule because it keeps everyone honest, or as honest as you can be.

[Hayzoos]

NBA has pretty much the worst parity of all major sports. Why fight for an 8 seed when you're missing out on a chance to get a franchise-changing player? Ask a Milwaukee Bucks fan how that has worked out for them.

[naturalborn103]

I think a lot of teams do this, it's just that the Sixers are kinda open about it. They aren't misleading anyone, especially the fans. It's frustrating as a fan, but the let down is a lot better than pretending to be something you're not and sugar coating shit for 82 games. But I like the new rule because it keeps everyone honest, or as honest as you can be.

A lot of teams tank, but I don't remember any team doing a multi-year tank strategy and going so hard at it (Drafting Noel, Embiid, Saric, and Hinkie only ONCE signing someone for above minimum) quite like the 76ers.

I personally don't mind and think it is very interesting to see what will come out of it. I also have give the owner huge amount of credit for giving Hinkie the keys and going for it all instead of making sure hes making a profit every year. As a fan much rather that then Pelicans type of owner.

[Philaflava]

If they were tanking just because of low sales or they see no pot at the end of the rainbow, then I would be livid. But it's a game plan that should keep them competitive for some time, it'll just take a few years to get there. Why spend $ signing guys just to continue to be mediocre? I like what Hinkie is doing and think his intentions are genuine and has the fans in mind.

[ric]

I voted that it is absolutely an acceptable part of a sport. As a player of games if the team is honestly doing it as part of a strategy then I'm all for it. And if they are going to do this they might as well tell their fans to set the proper expectations

[peanut butter]

I think its fine. I'd rather see a team essentially forfeit a season than go out and buy overpriced mediocre talent on the free agent market in order to get swept by an elite team in the first round of the playoffs. In the NBA, championships are built through the draft. The Sixers are waiting for their opportunity to draft the next Jordan/Olajuwon/Robinson/Duncan/Lebron, and aren't willing to pay Al Jefferson $15 million a year to hurt those odds. I think thats smart. Not to mention, they've seemingly added some nice pieces in the draft over the past few years. MCW is a capable NBA player, Noel looks to have potential and Embiid was the best player in college last year before his injury. I can see why the league doesn't want to condone tanking because of the way it looks, but I appreciate the process.


PEACE

[Tommy Bunz]

I don't have much to contribute other than I'm all for the 76'ers doing it and wished the Phillies would follow suit.

Also, feel obligated to point out that Gloss shamelessly tanked in one of our baseball leagues this year just so he could get the first pick next year.

[Philaflava]

I did and I would do it again if I was closer to the bottom than the top.

[peanut butter]

I think as long as its en vogue to hire data guys with experience on Wall Street who dont come from a sports background, the trend will continue this way. Front offices are looking more and more at players as assets in a stock portfolio than guys who have some qualitative abilities that allow them to succeed in sports. And unless leagues are going to take action that disincentive this type of experiment, smart front offices will continue to employee it.


PEACE

[ric]

@peanutbutter
Well said boss

[Ramen]

Do you guys think the players can easily snap out of losing year after year?

[ric]

@ramen
The focus will be on self improvement and self examination. Theoretically problem solved. Bigger problem might be getting guys to put forth next level effort and establish habits when management is basically saying 'you guys suck and that's the plan'. It's a strange thing for somebody to trust anything coming from management at that point and the relationship gets messed up and then productivity is possibly effected from that point forward.

However I will say that players are aware of team building strategies but whether they buy in as individuals is up for grabs and whether the teammates will trust each other is also up for grabs and then when you've fostered that kind of environment how do you then successfully pull your guys out of the mire when it's like 'ok now we expect you to win'

[alpha]

6ers already gonna be stacked. But this next draft will is pretty sick too

[ThaJim2]

If you have a slave auction as part of your sport then tanking has to be a part of your sport. If you don't want tanking in your sport then get rid of the slave auction. Notice no one tanks in college sports where players can choose where they go.

The problem is not enough teams are trying to tank. If you don't have a realistic chance of winning the championship then tank. If you are doing anything different you are actively hurting your team.

[alpha]

If you have a slave auction as part of your sport then tanking has to be a part of your sport. If you don't want tanking in your sport then get rid of the slave auction. Notice no one tanks in college sports where players can choose where they go.

yeah bro the allure of college sluts, amenities, winning, and getting prepped to be a pro is totally more pure.

[ric]

The problem is not enough teams are trying to tank. If you don't have a realistic chance of winning the championship then tank. If you are doing anything different you are actively hurting your team.

Totally disagree. You have to develop your players ability to execute and you can't do that if you purposely suck. Even if you theoretically get them to do what you want they will be mechanical as fuck at doing it if you tell them to do it in say suboptimal situations in order to lose. It's like you are creating whole other barriers for them to break through once you want them to 'wake up'

I guess theoretically you could intentionally act stupid like you want them to do something obviously or not obviously suboptimal but then don't you run a huge risk at losing your players attention a la Greg schiano?

All that said it is a legit strategy I just disagree that you must tank if you aren't gonna get there and just think those Nyg teams would not have gone to the superbowl at all if they believed in tanking

But also it seems more viable for a sport like basketball where there are 5 of 12 individuals on the floor each playing a more isolated game. If you were a football team you would be fucking yourself for years

[Reason]

easy picking #3 for me

[eternalreflection]

the NBA has always been defined by the top 3-4 players in the league. its very rare that a team that wins a title doesn't have one

last year Spurs, 04 Pistons only teams in the last 30yrs to do it, and getting rosters like they have requires you to convince people to take 1/2 market value and getting super lucky with a mid-first round pick

[ric]

I started tanking one of my fantasy seasons (dynasty league) a few weeks ago. my opponent this week is a co-commish for the league (there are two and they do a good job together but wouldn't separately) so he noticed that I played Chris Polk and riley Cooper and he was like 'really?' and I was like 'yeah operation tank the season is well under way'. now he's posted something on the league board sort of complaining sort of feeling the temperature of the other bros.

just writing out what's happening in my own tank experience. no one else seems to care. they seem to either think I'm weak or they think it's a legit strategy.

[Kid That's Lifeless]

I traded Alex Wood to RZN for Rafael fucking Soriano in Keeper Jr when I should have tanked the season after an abominable first two months. Fucking hell.

[Prophecy]

I have no problem with it. You should be able to run your franchise as you wish when it comes to building your roster. It's definitely a viable strategy but anyone who has ever had to step into a management position where a culture of failure and mediocrity has become acceptable for an extended period of time knows it's hard to get people back on track, even talented people. It's a viable yet risky strategy. It's hard to think of a decent number teams who have done this for an extended period of time and came out the other side like the 6ers are trying to do.

[capable_keL]

i still dont see any proof of tanking.

if they are tanking they have done a horrible job at gathering assets.

[alpha]

if they are tanking they have done a horrible job at gathering assets.

[capable_keL]

are you a big MCW & Noel fan? Are they an Embiid away from being a big 3?

[alpha]

Well dude, they're pretty good on 2k so it's gotta pan out right?