Why weren't the Blazers investigated after the end of the 2021-22 season? That was as blatant as blatant can be. The Blazers had a 4 game win streak. Nobody was complaining. Josh Hart didn't complain after he was traded. Here's Hart's game log for the end of the season. The lineup went from this during the 4-game win streak To this.
My guess is a slap on the hand because teams have been doing this for years. Even if you just go on the last year or the last two years, if the league is going to penalize the Blazers significantly, then you have to do the same to other teams. Also, when you're talking about draft picks, you have to realize you're hurting draftable players that have nothing to do with happened along with teams. That doesn't really affect second rounders, who might be able to get a little competition of their services if they are free agents rather than a late pick, but first rounders lose a guaranteed contract. I have to believe the NBAPA would have something to say about that.
The Blazers' record WITH Lillard was 1-6 before he sat (March 8 through March 22). I think the tanking "investigation" is wishful thinking. The Blazers can say they wanted to preserve Lillard for the following season and give Sharpe more playing time. Dame himself is the one who had the actual investigation. He's making the accusation after being traded. I'm sure the owners consider him an authentic source.
The argument is actually making me chuckle. NBA: "We're investigating you for tanking." Blazers: "I promise you, we're really this terrible. Have you seen the crap on our roster? These guys couldn't win a dad's basketball league at a middle school."
Scoot is worth paying a tanking fine. Maybe 500k and an embarrassing notation. now... the new CBA has extraordinary fines for tanking. But the big hits only relates to faking All-Star injuries. If Jrue gets traded and nobody else makes the All-Star team .... the light for a Blazers tank goes green.
it reminded me of my first ex-mother-in-law when my wife to be told her we were getting married I should have listened to the mother-in-law
Lillard, in an interview, said at the time that he wanted to play, but the Blazers were probably protecting him from himself because of his calf. A calf that had him missing games, earlier in the season. If Lillard is saying something different — and I haven’t seen or heard his words — then when was he lying?
