By definition, a foul is against the rules. An intentional violation of the rules is cheating. Quit pretending otherwise. Hack-a-whoever is no different than flopping.
Cheating is an intentional violation of the rules coupled with an intent to avoid detection. This is simply an acceptance of the codified consequences for a specified rules violation. If the league wanted to prevent this particular rules violation, than it is up to them to make the corresponding consequences less palatable (ie, Draco's suggestion of allowing a team to decline free throws).
1 less win and 1 more loss and they would be in teh #5 position. They just have to be a little better about losing an additional game here and there.
Just think where we could be if we lost both LAL games! :MARIS61: Nice to see SAC pull out a win! C'mon DEN!
People who judge fans for accepting and rooting for tanking need to wake up. It's no better or worse than fans who are still rooting for the playoffs. They're still fans. They're still supporting the future of the team. They're still watching the games and rooting for the team. They just have a different outlook than you. The fans that completely check out on the team when they're losing are the fans that suck. They buy up the tickets when the team is successful. They make excuses for why they come and go. They flooded the market with playoff tickets after we got down 0-2 to the Spurs.
I can accept my team isnt championship bound this year. I cant accept not giving your best and sucking on purpose to weasel a better pick. A winning culture starts with work ethic and dedication. You dont build those things throwing games. You play your best and if it's not good enough then help is on the way. I believe that's how our leader lillard is approaching this season and thats why I respect him and know we are in good hands. Rooting to tank is no better than lebron ditching his home town to ring seek. Its cheap and unimpressive.
You can spin that both ways....thinking that intentionally losing is good for the future is ignoring the 9 year old kid who just saved up for his Lillard jersey too...that's also the future of Blazer basketball. Thinking that a magical draft pick is more valuable than getting young players some playoff experience is also debateable...if you are supporting tanking...expect a large segment of fans to disagree...If I root for the playoffs...fans who want a high draft pick will probably let me know..I can handle it