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Sorry, but I'm tired of the anti-tanking stories. The Warriors are being unfairly prosecuted for something that is well within their rights to do. As far as I know, there are no "integrity of the game" rules that prevent a team from tanking.
How do I know this? Have you freaking watched some of the lineups that Boston and Miami have put out there recently?
Oh, wait. Just look at the starting lineups for last night's game between the two (in case you missed that barn-burner):
Miami
- Mario Chalmers
- Dexter Pittman
- Mike Miller
- Udonis Haslem
- Shane Battier
Boston
- Avery Bradley
- Brandon Bass
- Ryan Hollins
- Sasha Pavlovic
- Paul Pierce
I mean, give me a break, man. I haven't read one "How this ruins the integrity of the game" article yet about that game or the many like it that happen every year when contending teams get close to the end of the season.
Ok, I know what you're thinking. Well, those are *good* teams. We make exceptions for good teams, right? My question is: WHY? I thought this is about the integrity of EACH INDIVIDUAL GAME. Right? I mean, isn't that what people are talking about? The anti-tanking crowd would have you believe that the outcome of a freaking New Orleans-Golden State game, the penultimate game for both teams in a meaningless and dreary season, has some intrinsic meaning. Well, I call B. frickin S. on that. It's hypocrisy of the highest order. That Miami-Boston affair is just as embarrassing as the NOH-GSW. And hell, the latter was actually a better game.
We excuse good teams for "resting" players, because we know it may help them win in the playoffs. And winning is the most important thing. But if that's true, then this "integrity of the game" argument is false, just see last night's MIA-BOS game for the proof. And if winning is so important, why isn't it perfectly legitimate for WINNING IN THE LONG RUN to be just as valid a reason for tanking or, sorry, "resting" players? It should be in my opinion. Whether the Warriors are tanking or not, that's their business and the business of their fans. If their fans don't like it, they don't have to buy tickets. That's who the ownership has to answer to, not the rest of NBA fandom and a bunch of sports writers who have always had it out for us.
One day, maybe sooner rather than later, an NBA "elite" like Dallas or, heaven forbid, the Knicks or Boston, are going to tank. I hope there is just as much outcry then.
There. Rant over. Tank on...