Did the Phoenix Suns just completely dismantle Mark Cuban’s tanking theory?
Following a viral tweet from Mark Cuban regarding NBA tanking and the necessity of “bottoming out” during a rebuild, analysis suggests the Phoenix Suns’ recent 15-year history presents a contrasting case. The Suns’ trajectory has included fallout from the Steve Nash era, a rebuild process, an NBA Finals run, and challenges with a “Substantial 3” roster featuring Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal – all while attempting to remain competitive without intentionally losing games.
Expert Insight:
A breakdown of the situation, as discussed in an episode of Southwest Bias, examines Cuban’s comments on tanking, the prevalence of tanking as a league-wide strategy, the Suns’ unsuccessful attempt to follow a similar “Process” blueprint, and the importance of factors beyond draft positioning, such as culture and ownership.
The Suns experienced a decade at the bottom of league standings, resulting in a loss of fan engagement, yet ultimately found a path back to contention in the Western Conference. The question arises whether Cuban’s belief that tanking is the only path to success—described as a “Savannah Bananas mindset”—is challenged by the Suns’ experience.
The Southwest Bias discussion covers specific points including what Mark Cuban said about tanking, why tanking has become a common strategy, why the Suns’ tanking attempt failed, why an “entertaining environment” may not be the primary goal for fans, the Suns’ 2021 NBA Finals run, and the significance of cultural and ownership changes.
Resources related to the discussion include timestamps for specific segments of a YouTube broadcast (0:00 Intro, 2:00 Mark Cuban on tanking, 18:30 Bo and Johnny join the show!) and a link to listen to the Southwest Bias podcast (your podcasts).
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Mark Cuban say about tanking?
The source states the discussion breaks down what Mark Cuban actually said in his tanking tweet.
Why did the Suns’ tanking attempt fail?
The Suns tried to follow a rebuilding blueprint similar to the “Process” but failed, and lived at the bottom of the standings for a decade.
What factors besides draft positioning were important for the Suns?
The discussion highlights that culture and ownership shifts mattered more than draft positioning for the Suns.
Given the Phoenix Suns’ recent history, do you believe a team can achieve sustained success without resorting to a complete rebuild through intentional losing?
