[Cobra Mgr]

Originally Posted by rudel.dietrich

It is not as bad as it used to be.
Two things helped a lot

First was smoothing the draft lottery odds so that the worst 3 teams have an equal chance of the #1 overall pick. Now you don't really need to 'lean into' the tank.

Second was adding in the play in bracket. Now teams that have injuries or seasons from hell can try and get the 9th or 10th seed and then play their play their way into the playoffs.

Their 'reward' is getting to play the #1 seed in their conference. But it does keep teams in the playoff race for longer.

This season, I would say only 4 franchises came into the season not even trying for the playoffs.
Detroit
Charlotte
San Antonio
Houston

That is 4 out of 30, not that bad


In baseball, it seems like a lot more
Fans of these teams can refute me if they wish, but it seems like

Washington
Miami
Pittsburgh
Cincinnati
Arizona
Colorado
Boston
Detroit
Kansas City
Texas
Oakland

Those franchises went into this season with no intention on competing

That is 37% of the league
Not great Bob!

I think fans, and I'm speaking mostly for myself, don't mind tanking as long as there does seem to be a plan. If you are in a perpetual rebuild, then apathy sets in. So fans in Washington & Colorado can accept a couple lean years & still head to the park. But if you live in Oakland, Miami or Pittsburgh, you know your ownership isn't seeking to get better or isn't capable of making the team better. Those franchises have shown fans they don't care about giving them a quality product.