NBA commissioner Adam Silver clarifies relegation remarks on issue of tanking, says it would disrupt their business model- “I can’t say I was deadly serious”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver released a statement over the weekend to help combat the practice of tanking by some teams. Earlier this week, Silver clarified his statement about the solution that he proposed, which was relegation.
Adam Silver was appointed as league commissioner in 2014 and since then, he's addressed numerous issues surrounding the league. So far, he has handled certain things competently and is looking to continue doing so.
Over the weekend, Silver talked about the many issues that the league is currently facing. One of them is teams that rely on tanking to land a "generational talent."
REPORT: Adam Silver says the NBA has thought about ‘relegation’ as a potential solution to tanking.
(via ESPN, espn.com/nba/story/_/id…) https://t.co/M5RZ0TViPR
Days after releasing a statement that he considered relegation as a solution for the tanking teams, Silver went on to ESPN's NBA Today and clarified his statements.
"I can't say I was dedly serious about relegation. Because you don't have the same system as European soccer. It would make no sense to send an NBA team to the G-League, or the G-League team up to the NBA," Silver said.
"That's how other leagues deal with situations like this. They force teams to stay competitive because the consequences of finishing at the bottom of the league are detrimental to the health of the team."
The commissioner also shared his views on teams that are tanking, especially for generational talents.
"Certainly, if we thought that players on the floor, there was anything happening in an organization that meant the team was intentionally losing games, I view that very differently, than an organization that's truly rebuilding, recognizing that they need to restock with great talent in order to improve."
Given that the NBA is constructed very differently compared to other leagues, relegation might not be the solution for tanking teams. Additionally, fans won't receive it well if they see their favorite team being demoted to the G-League.
Problems if relegation is introduced in NBA
Tanking in the NBA isn't something new. However, the modern league has embraced tanking in hopes of gaining generational talent in the draft. The possibility of including relegation to the association could be a bad sign for the league.
One big issue that it could cause is the fan reception towards this plan. Around the league, there are tons of loyal fans who don't want their teams getting demoted.
Take this for example. LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are currently a terrible team this season. If relegation is utilized right now, there will be a ton of backlash from fans.
No one wants to see their favorite teams in a different environment. That problem alone could lead to disaster.
NBA’s keen eye this year due to tanking for Victor Wembanyama
It is a fact that teams right now are tanking in the hopes of getting Victor Wembanyama in next year's draft.
Among the top prospects, Wembanyama is in a league of his own. A 7-foot-3 frontcourt player who could create his own shots and move around the court like a guard. He's a big reason why Silver has considered relegation.
Several teams are eager to get their hands on Wembanyama. The Utah Jazz, the San Antonio Spurs and the Houston Rockets are all in competition to get the young prospect.
Earlier this month, Wembanyama was able to showcase his talents against Scoot Henderson and G-League Ignite. His performances caught everyone's attention and sparked team interest around the league.