None of the NBA's three anti-tanking proposal will "full stop" end tanking
NBC Sports • • sports
Key Points:
- NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has stated the league's firm commitment to ending tanking, but initial proposals presented at the Board of Governors meetings do not fully eliminate incentives to lose games strategically.
- Three potential solutions were discussed, but each still allows teams some incentive to tank in hopes of securing top draft picks, failing to remove the fundamental motivation to lose.
- A truly effective solution would involve giving all teams an equal chance in the draft lottery, regardless of previous season records, to remove any strategic advantage gained from losing.
- The urgency to find the right approach is heightened by the rise of legalized gambling, which increases the risks of tanking-related controversies leading to litigation, regulation, or prosecution.
- The NFL should monitor the NBA's efforts closely, as tanking, though less common, also occurs in football and could benefit from similar preventative measures.
