After only two weeks into the NBA season there has been talk about teams possibly tanking in order to reload with the talented 2014 draft class. One anonymous GM even admitted to talking with ownership about the benefits tanking could have for the team. After seeing Jabari Parker, Andrew Wiggins, and Julius Randle perform on the big stage last night, it makes sense why some teams are willing to sacrifice this season to snatch one of the phenomenal freshman.
According to CBS Sports, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski is not impressed and seems rather disgusted that this could even be a thought in somebody’s mind.
“If that is happening, shame on whoever is doing it. … As an American I wouldn’t like to think that an American team would [ever] want to lose or create situations where you would want to lose,” he said. “I can’t even fathom — I can’t go there. I can’t believe that that would happen. Maybe I’m naïve and going to read a fairytale after this.”
Krzyzewski addressed this issue after a 94-83 loss to Kansas, where Duke’s star freshman Jabari Parker finished with 27 points and 10 rebounds , while Kansas’ Andrew Wiggins finished with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Out of the dozens of NBA scouts that were in the United Center last night, one would have to be naive to believe that at least one of them was not thinking about the benefits tanking could have. And let’s be clear, tanking although unethical could be extremely beneficial.
Kansas coach Bill Self also had something to say about the possibility of NBA teams tanking.
“I don’t think anybody’s tanking. I know that guys that like to play, compete and I guess you can make sure that you don’t play certain guys, which I don’t think has happened. But I think that those three all have a chance to be special.”