Planet Money
Planet Money vs. the NBA’s tanking problem
· Summarized
Key takeaways
- Tanking has become a serious issue in the NBA, leading fans to root against their favorite teams.
- Changing the rules could align team incentives and potentially eliminate the need for tanking.
- Historically, the NBA has attempted to reduce tanking through various systems, but teams continue to exploit weaknesses in these rules.
- Innovative solutions from other sports, such as the NWSL and women's hockey, could provide insight into reforming the NBA draft system.
- Significant reform is anticipated as the NBA seeks to address the challenges of tanking and improve the competitive landscape.
Summary
Tanking in the NBA
As winter turns to spring, the NBA enters what fans and analysts refer to as 'tanking season.' This phenomenon occurs when teams deliberately lose games to secure a better chance at high draft picks. The episode highlights how serious the issue of tanking has become, particularly this year, prompting discussions on how it affects fans and the integrity of the league.
Incentives and Regulation
The episode discusses how different rules and systems within the NBA have shaped team strategies over the years, ultimately leading to tanking behavior. Keith and Erica explain how tanking is rationalized, mentioning NBA Commissioner Adam Silver's acknowledgment of the problem and potential solutions being considered to realign incentives.
Historical Context of the Draft System
The hosts explore the history of the NBA draft and its evolution, explaining how the league's methods to mitigate tanking have changed over the decades—from simple selections based on records to introducing lotteries that aimed to prevent blatant losing strategies.
Proposed Solutions to Tanking
The hosts review several radical proposals for reforming the NBA draft system. Notable ideas include the 'Draft Wheel,' which would eliminate the connection between a team's record and their draft position, the 'Gold Plan' from women's hockey that incentivizes performance even for eliminated teams, and the possibility of abolishing the draft entirely as seen in the NWSL where players enter the league freely.
The Future of the NBA Draft
In conclusion, the episode leaves listeners pondering the future of the NBA draft and its implications on competition. The hosts express hope and confidence that significant changes are forthcoming, encouraging an environment where all teams consistently strive for success.
Sponsors
- Ameriprise Financial · Many clients recommend Ameriprise to their family and friends because they've had a positive experience with an advisor.
Show notes
Tanking has gotten especially egregious this year. Even NBA Adam Silver has called out teams for tanking. He recently announced that league bigwigs are considering “every possible remedy” to “align incentives.”
Today on the show — Planet Money fixes the NBA’s tanking problem by … fixing the NBA draft. We get solutions from Hockey Hall of Famer Jayna Hefford, World Cup Champion Sam Mewis, and long-time NBA analyst Zach Lowe.
Handles for the NBA fans in the episode: thevoiceofevan, fullcourtblitz, ashleynevel, igotnxtpodcast, finesse.wes, basketballsavant, and mikedaddino__.
Live event info and tickets here / Pre-order the Planet Money book and get a free gift. / Subscribe to Planet Money+
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This episode was hosted by Keith Romer and Erika Beras. It was produced by James Sneed with an assist from Sam Yellowhorse Kesler. It was edited by Jess Jiang and fact-checked by Sierra Juarez. Alex Goldmark is our executive producer.
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