Detroit Pistons: Does the NBA still have a tanking problem?

Detroit Pistons: Does the NBA still have a tanking problem?

Yes, tanking is a problem!

Like I said, as long as there is incentive to do it, teams are going to have these kinds of “rebuilding” years when they really aren’t trying to win, and from a strategical perspective, it makes perfect sense.

But it makes less sense if you are a fan who spent money on season tickets, or bought tickets for a game late in the season only to see a team you barely recognize. It’s not fun to watch your team get perpetually blown out, and while it’s easy to sell player development for free, it’s harder when you are charging premium prices for seats, parking, concessions and everything else that comes with attending a game.

Pistons’ fans, to their credit, have shown up this year even though the team stinks. It can be fun to watch young players and get excited about the future. But it is far more exciting to see competitive games, especially if you don’t get to attend them often.

Aside from the detriment to fans, constant losing cannot be good for the culture of a team. While young players are getting their reps, they are often also learning bad habits and being allowed to “play through mistakes” (as Casey said recently) that they wouldn’t on a winning team.

It’s just a weird way to watch basketball, as you are cheering for your team, but also thinking “ooh, if they lose they’ll be two full games ahead of Houston for the worst record.”

I know as a fan I get sick of tanking but it doesn’t stop me from watching or seem to hurt the league too much, so it’s hard to say that it’s a huge problem.

However, I have some ideas for how to fix it, while making the league more entertaining for everyone.