The Tank Thread

[NBASupes]

Just now, AHF said:

Thanks.  Couldn't remember if LA had any piece of it.  Praying Boston doesn't see it this year.

Same. I don't want Boston with a top 5 pick again. I have faith that Lonzo and gang will win. 

[AHF]

9 hours ago, NBASupes said:

Same. I don't want Boston with a top 5 pick again. I have faith that Lonzo and gang will win. 

Especially a top 5 in this draft. There is a very good chance Philly will regret this deal which was a product of the new GM wanting to win now and not taking a long view.

[cam1218]

Just on a draft related note, James Harden could be out for up to 6 weeks. It'd be nice to see them go on a little losing streak and drop in the standings so we get a better pick. 

[Jody23]

After today's game, the Hawks no longer have sole possession of the worst record.  They are now tired with Orlando.

[NBASupes]

2 hours ago, Jody23 said:

After today's game, the Hawks no longer have sole possession of the worst record.  They are now tired with Orlando.

Orlando needs to step their game up, they have far too much talent to be this bad

[bleachkit]

14 minutes ago, NBASupes said:

Orlando needs to step their game up, they have far too much talent to be this bad

Orlando hasn't even been on my tank radar. This is very unsettling.

[Jody23]

I can deal with winning some games if it's because of young guys who can contribute to the future of the team.  Winning meaningless games and seeing it negatively affect draft position due to the efforts of guys who won't even play for this team past this season is extremely irritating.

[Guard]

Sacramento is one game back and Dallas is two. I’m going to be pissed if the Hawks screw this up. 

[DBac]

Orlando was 8-4 at one point lol. 5-27 since smh.

[benhillboy]

I think Bud is doing his best to contribute to the tank.  Dennis’ minutes could be a lot higher than 32.  Then our 5 next best players (Prince not included lol) average 24.7 minutes.  Look at all the close games and 4th quarter leads lost.  I don’t understand the complaints about Bud’s poor decisions and coaching one day then lamenting a win the next, although the Collins conundrum is real as a player who needs experience yet has the most win shares.  Schlenk is executing this job as gracefully as you can.  Y’all crazy if you think Bud is just gonna blatantly race to the bottom.

After Dennis’ was awfully projected as a Rondo-type based on his video I’m skeptical of highlights but I have to watch some video of Doncic.  I don’t like constantly hearing he’s unathletic and unable to guard any one position.

Edited January 16, 2018 by benhillboy

[Peoriabird]

1 hour ago, benhillboy said:

I think Bud is doing his best to contribute to the tank.  

Y’all crazy if you think Bud is just gonna blatantly race to the bottom.

So Bud is tanking but not blatantly tanking...What does this mean?

1 hour ago, benhillboy said:

I don’t understand the complaints about Bud’s poor decisions and coaching one day then lamenting a win the next,

Who is doing this?

[Jody23]

Bud and the players are not the issue here.  They're being professional and doing they're jobs.  The people who can really help protect our draft position (or not) are Travis Schlenk and ownership.

[benhillboy]

2 hours ago, Peoriabird said:

So Bud is tanking but not blatantly tanking...What does this mean?

Who is doing this?

He’s coaching his style, arguably (not an invitation to) better than a majority of his counterparts.  He hasn’t dumbed down to unwatchable  Brett Brown tankball or anything.  You can agree ball movement and three point shooting are staples of the modern offensive approach, 2 areas where we can’t complain.  To ensure a few losses, Bud has seemingly agreed to the directive from Schlenk to support the tank by minutes distribution, something the casual fan doesn’t notice.  This team is young as hell, all our main guys are playing at least 2 minutes below a reasonable expectation, in Collins’ case 10.

As far as the second quote, I would never call anyone out, it ain’t that serious.  We all want a stud this summer at the end of the day.  The lines just get blurred sometimes.

Edited January 16, 2018 by benhillboy

[Peoriabird]

37 minutes ago, benhillboy said:

He’s coaching his style, arguably (not an invitation to) better than a majority of his counterparts.  He hasn’t dumbed down to Brett Brown ball or anything.  You can agree ball movement and three point shooting are staples of the modern offensive approach, 2 areas where we can’t complain.  To ensure a few losses, Bud has seemingly agreed to the directive from Schlenk to support the tank by minutes distribution, something the casual fan doesn’t notice.  This team is young as hell, all our main guys are playing at least 2 minutes below expected, in Collins’ case 10.

How is this different from what he has done in the past?  For example, It took forever to get Hardaway and Prince into the starting line up last year and didn't Howard average like 29 minutes per game last year while Korver was playing over 30 minutes per game. Thabo was was completely removed from the rotation while Delaney was being used the same has this year early in the season.  Then once Delaney fell out of favor, Bud started using Bazemore as a back up point guard.  He even at time started and used Millsap as a 6'7" center against big line ups...something he does with Collins this year.

Was he tanking last year as well?

[High5]

I never thought I'd be so happy to see Orlando beat Minnesota. 

[DBac]

12 hours ago, High5 said:

I never thought I'd be so happy to see Orlando beat Minnesota. 

Double W for us. Minnesota creeping too far up the standings..

[benhillboy]

The new contestants in Orlando and Memphis are troubling.  The Pelicans are on a B2B but a -2.5 shows they could easily lose to us tonight with a colossal talent advantage. 

[benhillboy]

Seeing Dennis dime out a cool 15 was worth this bad win.  Lakers, Nets, Bulls, and Knicks all lose with Sac on the verge.  Memphis winning is the only consolation.

Edited January 18, 2018 by benhillboy

[AHF]

It stings.  The season isn't over tomorrow.  We are too good to expect to not stumble our way into some wins and our management is too proud to sit players, etc.  We need the buffer.

[Peoriabird]

1 hour ago, AHF said:

We are too good to expect to not stumble our way into some wins and our management is too proud to sit players, etc.

Finally posters are starting to realize that this team is starting to develop some chemistry and is now playing defense.  Probably won't finish with one of the 5 worst records this year but the future still looks bright for this team.