How Tanking Undermines the NBA’s Product and Team Success

Chris Russell breaks down why tanking continues to hurt the NBA as a whole and damage individual franchises in the long run, arguing that intentional losing erodes competitiveness, player development, and fan trust. The discussion includes audio from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver addressing the league’s ongoing battle with tanking, sparking further reaction from Russell. He pushes back on the idea that losing on purpose is a necessary path to success, emphasizing that teams don’t have to tank to land a superstar or build a championship contender, and that smart team-building, development, and culture are far more reliable paths to sustained success in the NBA.