Anon GM Admits tanking...is it Ainge (merged)

[green147]

I just thought this was interesting and I'd share it.I don't think it's DA, but it still fascinating to see an inside perspective on why GMs tank.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1829267-anonymous-nba-general-manager-admits-his-team-is-tanking-2013-14-season

[Lucky17]

Here's the article that BR link cites:

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/9893551/anonymous-nba-gm-why-team-tank-season-espn-magazine

The line about being unable to compete with "big market" teams does make it sound like it's not Ainge.

And you can bet that Stern is going to blow his top when he finds out about this. There will be repercussions.

[LooseCannon]

I would guess Phoenix.  Goodman is Boston-based, so it is reasonable to speculate that he is more likely to have inside knowledge from GMs with ties to the area.

[Lucky17]

I would guess Phoenix.  Goodman is Boston-based, so it is reasonable to speculate that he is more likely to have inside knowledge from GMs with ties to the area.

Yep, that's my guess too.

[Snakehead]

I feel like this guy has given himself away enough to where he is taking a big risk.  A few hints and I'm sure behind the scenes it can be narrowed down further.

[Boris Badenov]

I cannot believe there is a GM out there dumb enough to say this stuff.

What is the upside?

[Moranis]

I find it quite refreshing.  We need more honesty in life, especially sports. 

[fairweatherfan]

I cannot believe there is a GM out there dumb enough to say this stuff.

What is the upside?

By describing the actual incentives of the system and the real logic GMs in bad positions use to justify tanking, it could create pressure to change those incentives. 

...in other words, not much.

[moiso]

The Suns are a joke.  They have given away good/great players every year for like 6 consecutive years.  They were stacked with players in there primes and they have nothing to show for it.  If any team didn't need to go this route, it's the Suns.

[Moranis]

The Suns are a joke.  They have given away good/great players every year for like 6 consecutive years.  They were stacked with players in there primes and they have nothing to show for it.  If any team didn't need to go this route, it's the Suns.

No they weren't.  They had a nice little run, the run ended, they tried to do the fast rebuild and signed a lot of lesser players to contracts they shouldn't have and paid the price for it.  They should have just gone into tank mode when Amare, Nash, and Marion got old rather than doing the stuff they did.

[D.o.s.]

I bet it's Sam Presti.

Also, now we have at least one NBA GM on record saying this draft is loaded for the next "this draft is sooo overrated" thread.

[Jon Niednagel]

Someone trying to frame Ainge with comments about trading away vets for picks this summer, looking at young players and sitting vets that might help your team win, etc. My guess is it is the 76rs since the GM mentions the Sixers by name as an example (trying to throw off the scent I suspect). 

[gpap]

Why do I have an eerie feeling those quotes came from DA?

Regardless whoever said that should be ashamed of themselves (IMO.)

You have fans paying money to watch your team and as a GM, your motive is to tank?

Ridiculous.

[Galeto]

I find this refreshing as well.  It's not like this isn't common knowledge.  I'm glad a GM is being open about it, even if it's anonymously.

I think this could be Ainge.  A big part of the article was not being trapped in the middle ground of first round playoff fodder or just missing the playoffs and getting the 13th pick in the draft.  Among all the "tanking" teams, the only team that fits the criteria is the Celtics.  Unlike the other tankers, the Celtics could've still been a solid team if they had kept Pierce and KG.  The other tankers were already bad to begin with.

Plus, Goodman is a local guy and maybe he had a direct, face to face chat with Ainge.

[moiso]

The Suns are a joke.  They have given away good/great players every year for like 6 consecutive years.  They were stacked with players in there primes and they have nothing to show for it.  If any team didn't need to go this route, it's the Suns.

No they weren't.  They had a nice little run, the run ended, they tried to do the fast rebuild and signed a lot of lesser players to contracts they shouldn't have and paid the price for it.  They should have just gone into tank mode when Amare, Nash, and Marion got old rather than doing the stuff they did.

Amare and Marion were never old when they were on the Suns.  Neither were Joe Johnson, Diaw, and Barbosa.