Craig Karmazin: The Bucks Should NOT Tank — And Giannis Proves Why

The Milwaukee Bucks have won five of their last six games — and Craig Karmazin is not interested in tanking. In this Craig Karmazin segment of Jen, Gabe & Chewy, the Bucks minority owner explains why he believes competing — even in a complicated season — is the right move for the franchise, for Giannis, and for the NBA as a whole. 021326 JGC Hour 2 🏀 Why Tanking Isn’t the Answer With fans debating lottery positioning and draft odds, Craig makes his stance clear: The Bucks shouldn’t tank. He points out: Nearly a third of the NBA appears to be “not trying to win” That’s bad for fans paying for tickets It’s bad for the league’s credibility And it’s not what championship organizations do Craig argues that Giannis himself embodies that mindset — choosing to compete rather than shut it down when he easily could have. 🧠 You Can Win Without Tanking Craig references franchise history to make his case: Giannis wasn’t the No. 2 pick — Jabari Parker was. The Bucks won a championship without Parker — and without getting value back for him. His takeaway: You don’t have to bottom out to win. The franchise built a title team through development, trades, and bold decisions — not just draft position. ⚖️ The Ownership Reality The conversation also gets candid about NBA finances. After the Jazz were fined $500,000 for overt tanking, Craig explains how ownership works: Fines ultimately impact the organization’s bottom line Minority owners receive capital calls when the team runs losses Luxury tax and second apron spending create real financial pressure It’s a reminder that decisions about tanking and competing aren’t just strategic — they’re financial. 🔥 Giannis Sets the Tone Craig believes Giannis deserves credit for not choosing the easy path. In a season where: Draft positioning could improve Health risks could justify shutting it down Giannis has continued to push for wins. Craig sees that as leadership — and as a signal that the Bucks should follow suit. 🏁 The Bottom Line Craig Karmazin’s stance is firm: Compete. Respect the game. Respect the fans. Trust that winning culture matters more than lottery odds. Whether it works this season or not, the Bucks are choosing competitiveness over cynicism — and Craig believes that’s the right call. 🎧 A direct, ownership-level perspective on Giannis, tanking, and why the Bucks are betting on competitiveness — only on Jen, Gabe & Chewy.