A different kind of tanking: Playoff positioning

[fearless]

I heard Hubie Brown talk about this on a TNT broadcast, this not my conspiracy theory. He said that some teams will try to get themselves a playoff spot v. a team that they think they have a better chance to beat by not only trying to win games but trying to lose a few games as well.

This came up in the WNBA last season when Seattle wanted to play the Sparks in the first round. After clinching the playoffs, they rested their best player for the last two games of the season. Needing to lose both games to play the Sparks, they did, badly. I only made money on one of those games but it was quite obvious that they wanted to tank.

Let's see how this plays out for the rest of the season in the NBA. Who do Denver and the Lakers want? Pheonix or San Antonio? If the Lakers want a rematch with Pheonix, they may have to tank a few.

I don't think we have to worry about anyone tanking in the East, but you never know.

This is something to think about and it's not my theory, Hubie Brown said that teams actually do this before the playoffs.

[aceking]

on Phoenix -4.5 .

lets win !

[fearless]

on Phoenix -4.5 .

lets win !

Good call. Let this be a warning to everyone here: the Lakers radio colorman Michael Thompson was alluding to the Lakers possibly being happy to play Phoenix in the first round. Will they an egg in Denver? Does Denver want to play Phoenix or San Antonio? Could both teams play to lose? I think that Phoenix has to be the team that both teams would want, the Spurs are arguably the best team in the league.

[fearless]

Here's ESPN columnist John Hollinger alluding to tanking for playoff positioning, it's real people:

Josh (Toronto): Do you think there is a possibility of a Nets-Raptors playoff series? I can't think of anything I'd like to see more.

SportsNation John Hollinger: Yes, there's a great chance. Nets play Wash again on Tuesday and if they win they'll be two back and own the tiebreak. Given how decimated the Wiz are right now, there's a good chance Jersey can catch them. If so that makes the Nets No. 6 and Wiz No. 7. Also, keep in mind the Bulls play the Nets on the last game of the season, and if Chicago has No. 2 locked up they'd be more than happy to bench all their good players, let the Nets win and get a first-round pairing against Washington.

Mark (Denver): Should the Nuggets avoid continuing to win to get the #6 seed as they match up much better with Phoenix?

SportsNation John Hollinger: I've been wondering that myself. You might see some interesting results from the Lakers and Nuggets during these last few games as they fall over themselves to avoid the Spurs. But first things first -- they have to make sure San Anto doesn't overtake Phoenix for No. 2.

Pete Rose Cincinatti, OH: Do teams really throw games late in the season to position themselves for more ideal playoff opponents/lottery balls?

SportsNation John Hollinger: Go find a summary of last year's April games between the Clippers and Grizzlies, or between the T'wolves and Grizzlies, and then decide for yourself. Quick hint: If Vin Baker is starting, or if Mark Madsen attempts more than five 3-pointers in a quarter, then your team is definitely throwing the game.

[LT Profits]

Part of the problem here is the seeding process, as San Antonio is playing the best ball in the league right now, yet they are locked in to a #4 seed! Honestly, I am not sure anything can be done about this as I am really not opposed to automarically giving the three division winners the top three seeds. However, I would definitely rather finish sixth or seventh in the conference right now than fifth. Why finish fifth and face the Spurs when the sixth and seventh seeds get to face Phoenix and Utah?

[LT Profits]

But first things first -- they have to make sure San Anto doesn't overtake Phoenix for No. 2.

That would actually have no bearing on the seedings as the division winners automatically get the top 3 seeds, so the Spurs are locked in at #4. The only bearing that the Spurs passing Phoenix would have is that San Antonio would have the home court advantage if they faced each other despite being the lower seed por se.

[durito]

That would actually have no bearing on the seedings as the division winners automatically get the top 3 seeds, so the Spurs are locked in at #4. The only bearing that the Spurs passing Phoenix would have is that San Antonio would have the home court advantage if they faced each other despite being the lower seed por se.

This is incorrect, they have changed the rules.

If the season ended today the spurs get the #3 seed and Utah #4.

As a nuggets fan, the 6 game win streak is great, but we've played ourselves right into a matchup with the Spurs, a team imo we have no chance against. I'd rather be 7th and play the suns.

[LT Profits]

Durito,

Did they just change the rules this year, because the condition I described was still in place last season?

[durito]

Yes, I belive they did.

The way I understand it is that the division winners are guaranteed a top 4 seed, but if a 2nd place team has a better record than one of the winners, they will get a higher seed. I believe that would give Utah the #4 even if (as it looks like they will) they finish with a worse record than Houston -- though since Houston will have the better record and get homecourt in that series, the seed is irrelevant.

take a look at espn, i think they have it correct:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/standings

[LT Profits]

durito,

Makes sense, thanks for the correction. I like that change as it rewards second place teams with better records than division champs, while at the same time not penalizing division winners by ensuring they get no worse than a 4 seed. Maybe the other sports should follow suit.