Does tanking truly work...?

[Black Adam]

Imo there is more than one way to build a winning team. some think the best way is through compiling draft picks, some pick up superstars and surround them with talent, etc....

just thought it would be a fun topic to discuss among some of you armchair GM's...

obviously many roads, but how would YOU build a winner...?

 

[CaptainStubing]

It is hard to make a tank job truly work but it can be done. There is so much player movement in the league that by the time some teams are finally getting some pieces in place that are getting good they lose them.

I think building through the draft can get you most of the way a lot of times if you are good at the draft but typically free agency And Trades get you over the top

 

[Wamu]

Imo there is more than one way to build a winning team. some think the best way is through compiling draft picks, some pick up superstars and surround them with talent, etc....

just thought it would be a fun topic to discuss among some of you armchair GM's...

obviously many roads, but how would YOU build a winner...?

I would want someone that not only has teriffic NBA knowledge but is well traveled. And has a way w/ words. I can only think of one fella around that has such a resume.

Spoiler

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

Its professional sports.
Players make obscene money.
Sponsors / Advertisers pay a hefty price.
Fans invest alot of time, and often hard earned cash,

Play to win.

 

[naslundfan19]

I would want someone that not only has teriffic NBA knowledge but is well traveled. And has a way w/ words. I can only think of one fella around that has such a resume.

Spoiler

View attachment 210297

Well, that’s one way to prove tanking works.

 

[HurricaneDij39]

Short answer - No. You need lottery luck for it to be successful. Hopefully this year's lottery system provides a permanent end to shameless tanking.

 

[MizzouFalcon]

Of course it works. Just look at the powerhouse Knicks.

 

[CaptainStubing]

Of course it works. Just look at the powerhouse Knicks.

They can mess anything up it seems. One of the worst run organizations in any sport

 

[broncosmitty]

Tanking only works if you're also lucky.


Playing young guys down the stretch, if you suck, is smart though.

 

[tlance]

Tanking is the best way for non-destination markets to assemble a core that can attract better pieces. The problem is that some of the teams perceived to be tanking year after year (Knicks, Suns) aren’t really tanking right now. They just are terribly run and don’t know how to assemble a competitive roster.

It isn’t the only way, and it is obviously not anywhere close to 100% success rate, but if you stay the course and don’t make the “win now moves” too early, then it can definitely work.

Working does not necessarily lead to a championship, but if you are able to build a core capable of contending for at least a couple years then the process has worked. Philly’s process has worked even though they might not ever get a title. They are definitely on the short list of teams with a chance.

 

[Black Adam]

some good responses...

agree with what coach said about the "short list", but Hurricane and TurnUp's responses from a fans perspective make a helluva Lotta sense, too. Especially when you consider actually going to WATCH those teams at your home Stadium and watching other teams come in and kick the crap out of them on the nightly. NO ONE in their right mind would pay money to see that...

nicely done, guys...

 

[logic]

The problem with tanking is keeping your young talent invested. Once the rookie contract is up they are looking to get paid and win. If you haven't convinced them that you are able to win yet someone who is winning will be willing to pay them. You must convince them to trust the process. Anyone but Philly been successful at that?

 

[tlance]

The problem with tanking is keeping your young talent invested. Once the rookie contract is up they are looking to get paid and win. If you haven't convinced them that you are able to win yet someone who is winning will be willing to pay them. You must convince them to trust the process. Anyone but Philly been successful at that?

You have 8 years though.

4 to build a roster while your young stud is cost controlled, 4 more until he reaches UFA.

You need to make really good decisions and get lucky to build a contender in a smaller market. Building around a franchise player or 2 acquired in the draft is often the best way to get there for those teams.

 

[DJ Smith]

Yes, I think so like for an NBA team especially small market teams it is hard to get a superstar in free agency so losing only goes so far. I think teams like the Pelicans and Thunder have bright futures they are rebuilding and have assets for the next decade don't be surprised if these two teams are the best in the west seven years from now. It also worked for teams like the 76ers and Nets who were terrible and now are contenders. I'm still wondering about the Suns they have been rebuilding for the longest so maybe they will be better next decade.

 

[wildturkey]

Yeah, it does. But its like every other option, you gotta have front office that knows what its doing. You just can't be a bad team and just pick whatever players and expect to be better. You're tanking with either a certain player in mind (like how teams tanked for Tim Duncan, Lebron James, and Anthony Davis) or you're tanking how Philly did (and Atlanta is currently doing) where they stripped their roster bare knowing they are going to be bad for a set number of years to try to assemble a young core. But teams that don't really have a plan and are just like "well, we'll be bad and maybe we'll get lucky in the lottery" don't get better, they are just poorly run (like tlance was saying, some fans can't tell the difference).

 

[dtgold88]

some good responses...

agree with what coach said about the "short list", but Hurricane and TurnUp's responses from a fans perspective make a helluva Lotta sense, too. Especially when you consider actually going to WATCH those teams at your home Stadium and watching other teams come in and kick the crap out of them on the nightly. NO ONE in their right mind would pay money to see that...

nicely done, guys...

No doubt it sucks at the beginning of the tank, but need to take the long view IMO. It's true a team like the Cavs will need to get lucky in getting a top pick in a year there is an elite player to take #1 or (luck out on a lower pick) if they are ever to be in title contention again. Probably more than once.

But I'm good with that approach over a string of endless 35-48 win seasons

 

[dtgold88]

The problem with tanking is keeping your young talent invested. Once the rookie contract is up they are looking to get paid and win. If you haven't convinced them that you are able to win yet someone who is winning will be willing to pay them. You must convince them to trust the process. Anyone but Philly been successful at that?

Cavs were before Philly. To get Lebron and get him back. Yes, true if not from NE OH he does not come back.

Also not sure any star has ever left the team who drafted him after his rookie deal (assuming drafting team wanted to keep him).

 

[thunderc]

Not any more with only a 14 percent chance, but it damn sure worked for the sixers.

 

[trojanfan12]

A combination of FA's, trades and draft picks is the best way to build a team.

What is different is how a team has to use those 3 options.

A smaller market team has to rely on the draft and trades to try to put together a team that is attractive to top players.

A larger market team can rely more on FA because the fact that they are a larger market team makes them attractive to top FA's.

 

[lebron23james]

Tanking does not work imo

Getting lucky and landing a star is what works

Look at the last 10 championships (all landed a star through the draft)

Cavs- drafted Lebron
Heat- drafted Wade
Lakers-drafted Kobe (sorta)
Boston-drafted Pierce
Golden state-drafted Curry, thomspon
Spurs-drafted Duncan

The common denominator even with the large markets was landing a star in the draft. Teams without championships...Wizards, Clippers, Hornets, Grizz, Knicks, Timberwolves, Nets, Pacers, Pelicans, Jazz, Magic, Suns, etc...either never hit that superstar or messed up the FA part

A few select teams like the tragic and thunder have landed multiple stars through the draft and still struck out. It also takes a decent front office after you land a star, so trades play a role, but i would say getting a star in the draft first is the most important part.