Posted by BlueSeats:
Actually, what's happening here is what I've always petitioned for. The GM controls the "tanking" with roster moves, but the coach always coaches his ass off to win.
Theoretically speaking, benching Marbury and Curry, and then trading Jamal and Slach, constituted a HUGE talent setback that easily constitutes a "tank/rebuild" that allows tons of time for youth/future/low-payroll-burden-rentals. At the same time it constitutes and enormous culture change that has only benefited the enthusiasm, energy and optimism of the club (with the possible exception of guys who were close friends with the departed.)
This *is* how an organization is supposed to "tank". If the record improves in the process, so be it, the coach has done his job and the culture change s working. If the record decreases, so be it, these moves are future oriented and the hope is whatever setback is encountered is made up for in the draft and later FA acquisitions.
It's on.
Agreed. Trade your talent away for draft picks and cap room and then do your best to win every game. Usually it works out that you build up your team confidence but also miss out on the playoffs. I think we may get to 38-40 wins this year, which is a considerable improvement over last year, when we arguably had far more talent.