INCOMING... TANKS!

The Cleveland Browns, the 76ers, the Lakers, the current Knicks. There are plenty of teams, way too many by the way, that have had no winning, effort, and most depressingly, hope in the past recent years. The Lakers showtime Laker days seem to be centuries ago and drowned out by all their mediocre play in todays sports time. Despite it only being a few years ago, it feels like Madison Square Garden hasn't had a meaningful game in forever, which is extremely sad for basketball because when that arena is a playoff atmosphere there isn't much that compares. Then we have the 76ers, Sam Hinkie mess, or we can possibly begin to say mastermind plan coming to place. Yes, I did save the Cleveland Browns for last not because of the old saying "save the best for last", however for the exact opposite of it. The Browns have not had any upside translate onto the field and into the W column since... a long time ago. It seems like each year they get these draft picks that turnout being busts. Big time names are Johnny Manziel and Justin Gilbert. Both who were selected in the 2014 NFL draft, and both whom did most certainly not perform well on the gridiron. Also, both whom are not on the team roster anymore because of off the field issues and on the field mediocre play. This all culminates in an idea that these teams need to, if did not already (hint, hint, 76ers), put the phrase "tank" to use. Tanking by definition is losing on purpose. Now, in professional sports like the NBA, MLB, and NFL, its not very easy to tell players to go out and try to lose. These players have future careers within the sport that they need to keep going, by a player purposely air balling or throwing 10 interceptions a game, this will without a doubt drop their free agency stock or trade value. With that being said, the only form of tanking there is, is done within management. What I mean by that is, no matter who you put on the field or the court, they are not going to give half effort. We aren't new to this term tanking. The Sam Hinkie dilemma, in short if you are not familiar with it is this. The former 76er GM was hired in 2013 and discussed a plan with the upper office basically agreeing they did not have what it takes to compete for at least a few years. The office gave Hinkie a chance, with it resulting in the worst 3 year stretch of NBA history, and a 10 out of 82 game win season, along with Sam Hinkie resigning due to the 76ers placing someone above him to watch over or lesser his role. He wanted none of that so he left. The fans were upset not because some winning coach left (obviously), but because they bought into the system. The system that they started calling "Trust The Process". This phrase was first brought up in a Philly podcast and it kind of stuck as it was exactly what Hinkie had in mind. What Hinkie did was he cleared out any high contract, high scoring, and older type guys and brought in younger ones who everyone knew couldnt win. By doing this he secured lottery picks for years to come. One of those picks was Joel Embid, who considers himself "The Process". The team then got Ben Simmons who was another college star with upside. Embid was hurt when drafted, yet Hinkie took a chance because of the future. Winning wasnt imperative at the moment or possible for Hinkie and the 76ers. Finally Embid had a somewhat healthy half of a season and proved that he has what it takes to be a star in the league. Now, the 76ers are upon their first meaningful season in a long time because of the addition of Markelle Fultz, #1 overall pick, along with a healthy Ben Simmons and veterans off the bench. It seems like the Hinkie process should be followed by other teams, especially the Browns, or the Lakers, and even the Knicks right now despite the roster having a few very good players. The reasons to tank are much more convincing than not to tank, as the few to not tank are really just reputation, job security as a GM, and ticket sales. All which are extremely important, however if you can persuade the fan base and players that it is the right move then it can very well work. Tanking in the NFL is easier than others in the sense that if you have the worst record your guaranteed the first overall, because there is no lottery. On the other hand, its much harder to tank in a 16 game season than a 82 game season or a baseball lengthy season because it takes time to evaluate and make judgement. Tanking should be up to the office and the players. If both can agree that it is whats best for the team, such as the Colts did for the "Suck for Luck" campaign, and the now god like Warriors did back when they shut Steph Curry down for almost half a season and traded away team superstar at the time Monta Ellis for a injured below average Andrew Bogut, then they should have the freedom to do so without the league intervening. It looks like it worked out for the Warriors, and maybe for the 76ers very soon. Would you fire up the Tanks?