NBA: To Tank Or Not to Tank?

Dec 13, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics power forward Jared Sullinger (7) dribbles the ball around New York Knicks power forward Andrea Bargnani (77) during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

Boston Celtics

So Brad Stevens is a nice guy! Rajon Rondo is back! The Celtics might make the playoffs with homecourt advantage assuming turmoil continues to afflict the New York teams. Is it even feasible for them to tank? How terrible would they have to be to actually not end up the best team in their division?

The fact that Boston is a storied franchise that is under national scrutiny the way some teams (the Bucks for instance) could never be makes it all the more difficult to justify willfully losing games. In all likelihood the Celtics don’t have any future All-Stars on their team, but they have some solid young talent and the allure of being a formidable franchise that major free agents wouldn’t reject out of hand if they came crawling to them with bags of money.

Long story short: Don’t tank, Boston. You’ll make a statement if you get to the playoffs and play well, and you’ll be able to lure a disgruntled star to secure you that 18^th championship sooner or later. Believe, Bean Town!