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...losing more than they're winning and are out of the playoffs hunt. Their star player manages to shut it down for reason of surgery or a serious injury that could risk further damage if continue to play.

I remember when David Robinson went down and then the Spurs win the lottery and select Duncan. And I'm certain there's other cases.

I mean fans last season weren't in a hurry for Pierce to return. And didn't Garnett and Ray Allen shut it down last season due to their own injuries?

I guess this is why some in the media have wondered about Brand's motivation in returning this season for a team that is already eliminated from playoffs contention and he can opt out at season's end. Wade is done for the season. And Curry is likely lost for the season as well. Oh wait, I forgot... The Knicks weren't going anywhere with a healthy Curry and he isn't exactly a star.

Part is a reverse Kevin McHale, who permanently damaged his career when trying to win a championship.

And April-September may not be enough to REALLY heal in these situations, if you add the serious injury to whatever other wear and tear there's been.

Add that to lottery position and general lesser motivation, and you have a whole bouquet of reasons.

I believe the scientific word is "tanking."

i think everybodys favorite Wally could answer some questions on this topic. except the whole "star" part

SonicYouth34 wrote:I believe the scientific word is "tanking."

Initially, I'd intended to start this thread about that very subject as it pertains to Miami being woeful in the standings. However, I got to thinking about... Those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. And wasn't that what the national perception of Boston was last season? They were tanking it.

bonsaiflipflops wrote:-= original quote snipped =-




Initially, I'd intended to start this thread about that very subject as it pertains to Miami being woeful in the standings. However, I got to thinking about... Those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. And wasn't that what the national perception of Boston was last season? They were tanking it.

Exactly
So where is the big uproar from the commissioner and ESPN this year when it is Miami tanking?

Further proof that Boston is just hated, that's why the Celtics have been screwed over so often.

I do remember how much attention was put on Boston when they were blatantly tanking last year... now Miami is doing it, and people find it 'funny' and just joke about it... but the Celtics got hatred for doing the same thing. Hmm...

Ryan Gomes publically saying we were tanking had something to do with it.

Just like Barry can return to the Suns but Stackhouse said something and the NBA had to take action when something is blantantly said

What's interesting is Memphis this season. OK, the Grizzlies are without Gasol before the beginning of last season and then he returns and the team finishes the season as the worst team record wise. Their hopes of winning the lottery in 2007 or to select second never came to fruition. This season the Grizzlies continue to struggle or show little of any turnaround from last season. Next thing you know, Gasol is traded to the Lakers and the Grizzlies remain no better off than from the previous season. They aren't the worst team. But, they aren't that far behind Miami and Minnesota for that distinction. As if we didn't already know, the Grizzlies are a lock for the lottery, again. So, when will something be done by Stern about the presence of tanking in the NBA? The NFL took steps to attempt to change a few rules to try to force the teams bound for the playoffs to compete in all games from start to finish by placing more weight on every single one of their game as it could affect your playoffs seeding. Well, that's the gist of it in not so many details. If only Stern can arrive at some formal agreement or plan by the committee on these such topics to resolve this continual problem that will persist every season.

I think that the reason you don't hear too much about tanking (at least not yet anyway) is that there is no Kevin Durant and Greg Oden this year. That was the big factor with tanking last year, that it might net you potentially one of the two best players to come out of college in a generation.

Not quite the same crop of players this year.

I see your point. Also, Miami could be more focused on persuading Brand (who can opt out at the end of this season) to leave the Clippers to join the Heat. There's speculation on this very notion already. Still, whether or not Miami sees this year's potential draftees being able to stack up to the overall talent of last year's draft or more specifically compare to Greg Oden and Kevin Durant. That remains unknown at this time. But, selecting within the top three picks is still a bargaining chip/asset for Miami to help along off season trades this year and we all know by now that Chicago management has a situation on their hands with their own players. Namely, the futures of Deng and Gordan. Not to mention, the recently acquired Marion and his future with them. He can opt out at the end of this season. The impression in the local or national media are that it's a win-win situation either way Marion decides to go on his decision this summer. Meaning, in one scenario, his salary is thus removed. That is no Marion or Shaquille O'Neal salary to work against Miami's cap. Or if he remains in Miami and chooses to keep his guaranteed salary. Then the Heat will retain one of the better small forwards in the league and arguable the best rebounding one at that.

Ed Pinkney wrote:I think that the reason you don't hear too much about tanking (at least not yet anyway) is that there is no Kevin Durant and Greg Oden this year. That was the big factor with tanking last year, that it might net you potentially one of the two best players to come out of college in a generation.

Not quite the same crop of players this year.

IMO Michael Beast-ley and Derrick Rose have a chance of being just as good as Durant and Oden if not better. I think teams would tank to get these players just as much as Odena nd Durant.

Personally, I think this years draft is a lot deeper with the likes of Tyler Hansbrough, OJ Mayo, Brook Lopez, DeAndrew Jordan, Kevin Love and Eric Gordon potentially coming out just to name a few. Not to mention players like Thabeet, Hibbert, and Budinger who could be late lottery steals.